Loyola Neighborhood News: Water Tower Campus - V3, I5

Police manpower is being ramped up city-wide for the NATO Summit, May 19-21. The summit is expected to bring hundreds of dignitaries and activists to the Chicago loop.

Over 100 motorcades are expected over the course of the weekend and security is paramount.

McCormick Place is the hub for all associated events.  Past summits have garnered violence in the wake of protests. Broken windows and other forms of vandalism have plagued the event when hosted in other cities. 

As a precautionary measure, college campuses are responding with planned shut downs for several loop campuses closer to the venue. Protesters are permitted in a pre-defined geographic area and not to go north of Chicago Avenue.

Due to our proximity far north of the summit, Loyola will not close its campus or suspend any activities; however Loyola’s campus police are beefing up personnel and vehicular support in preparation for increased visitors to the area.

According to Robert Langan, Lieutenant for Water Tower Campus, campus police are taking important precautions to ensure safety on Loyola’s campus. Four to five additional officers will be added to all scheduled shifts on all three days with an armed officer posted at each campus building. Mobile vehicles will increase from one to three.

Campus Police is working very closely with the 018th District Chicago Police. The former Sally’s Beauty Supply at 838 N. State, a property managed by student-run Loyola Property Management, will be home to over 100 police officers ready to deploy from the location. Additionally, Campus Police radios will be tuned to same bandwidth as the Chicago Police to ensure ready access to communications and fast, effective response if necessary.