Residents in shadow of United Center tire of DNC disruptions
CHICAGO — People who live near the United Center have been dealing with a lot of disruptions: protests, kids unable to play at the nearby park, residents unable to park vehicles near their homes, and reports of neighbors robbed.
As demonstrators squared off with officers and tore down security fencing on Monday, residents near North Wolcott Ave and West Lake Street stood back and watched as police pushed protesters out of the park near their homes.
Even more upsetting, those who spoke with WGN say, is the parking ban in effect for a large number of residential streets around the arena. That’s pushed some to park several blocks from home.
“People can’t come through or park,” said neighbor Tre Banks. “People have to park on Lake and a lot of robbery going on on Lake and people steal people’s cars and stuff like that.”
Mothers say they’ve kept their kids inside when things have gotten chaotic. The park where the children would normally play has been occupied this week by police and demonstrators.
The parking ban in the area around the United Center is in effect through Sunday.
WGN inquired with Chicago police about any reported robberies near the United Center since Monday. A spokesperson said they could not confirm any incidents.
The Democratic National Convention in Chicago concluded Thursday night with Vice President Kamala Harris accepting the party’s nomination to the land’s highest office.
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Chicago has hosted Democrats 12 times, the last being nearly 30 years ago when President Bill Clinton was nominated for a second term.
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