Secret Service adjusts, Chicago Police Superintendent praises officers at DNC

[August 21, 2024]  By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Law enforcement officials are making adjustments after protesters breached a fence outside the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Protestors gather at Union Park in Chicago on Monday, Aug. 20, 2024. - By Brett Rowland | The Center Square

Jeff Burnside, U.S. Secret Service coordinator for the 2024 DNC, said the plan worked after protesters breached fencing outside the United Center on Monday. Police arrested the protesters and prevented them from getting inside the arena. Burnside added that the Secret Service is making necessary adjustments.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said his officers responded effectively to the fencing breach. Snelling added that there has been a lot of hate-filled rhetoric thrown at officers along with physical attacks.

Snelling was asked about two protesters who claimed they were were not involved in the fence breach but were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Snelling said police have body camera video of the arrests and said, “Sometimes being in the wrong place at the wrong time is indicative of the choices you make to engage in criminal activity.”