Titan Security was pleased to attend the monthly meeting of the Chicago Public-Private Task Force (CPPTF) on the morning of Thursday, January 13, helping to represent the cultural properties and commercial high-rise sectors. The group, co-chaired by the Office of Emergency Management and Communications and ChicagoFIRST, brings together organizations and associations from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors to address common concerns. The meeting was hosted via Microsoft Teams with approximately 30 attendees.

Public Sector Reports

• Crime Prevention & Information Center (CPIC): no credible or verified threats currently; FIMS/CP3 upgrade in progress; additional presentation
• Chicago Police Department,1stt District (CPD 1): events have slowed; new protests emerging; criminal reports up YTD; multiple tactical teams have been moved to Beat cars
• Chicago Police Department 12th District (CPD 12): Beat cars staffed by tactical teams; criminal reports up YTD overall, property crimes down
• Cook County: nothing new to report
• Department of Homeland Security/Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (DHS/CISA): continued focus on suspicious activity reporting, physical and cyber
• Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH): Omicron and masking presentation
• Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC): holiday events successful overall; 02/11-02/21 is Chicago Auto Show; St. Pats next major events; Smart911 program relaunch underway
• Federal Executive Board (FEB): nothing new to report
• Chicago Transit Authority (CTA): nothing new to report
• Department of Buildings: nothing new to report

Presentations

• CDPH presentation: Omicron variant update, vaccine recommendation; double masking is advisable; N95 or KN95 masks are superior when correctly fit-tested; CDPH update https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home/managing-your-health.html
• CPIC presentation: intel shows FTOs and DVEs (foreign terrorist organizations and domestic violent extremists) promoting tactics including arson, explosive attacks, vehicle ramming
• OEMC presentation: Safe Chicago program is joint project with CFD, AID, and CPD; bleeding control kits are installed/deployed at crucial public-gathering points (libraries, City Colleges, police stations, Navy Pier, City Hall, etc); stop-the-bleed training available to all City employees [email protected] 
• Magnificent Mile Association group summary: staff of around a dozen; has been hard hit by pandemic, still a major taxpayer to the tune of $2 billion annually; more than 125,000 fulltime residents as well; 67% of all downtown hotel rooms

About Titan Security Group

Titan launched in 1994 with a vision for a better way to provide security services to the Chicagoland community. Today, Titan is one of the largest security companies in North America, scheduling approximately 80,000 hours per week, employing more than 2,000 security staff, and have enjoyed over twenty-seven consecutive years of successfully serving our clients across a wide range of industries. Titan delivers results to clients through flexible, customized security solutions, and superior customer service. The Titan approach combines traditional security staffing with electronic security systems to provide integrated and efficient, customized security solutions from a single source.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Chicagoland area.

Titan Security has been alerted that NWS has issued an ongoing Winter Storm Warning that is in effect at 9:00 a.m. Saturday January 1, 2022 and expires at midnight on January 2, 2022. Anywhere from 4 to 9 inches of snow is expected to fall at an average rate of 1/4 to 1/2 inches per hour, with the most intense rates happening between 2-10 p.m.

The snow will start off heavy and wet, and later on become lighter and fluffier. Please be advised that there will be a blowing snow threat later on once the snow becomes lighter in the evening. At this time, strong winds are expected along the lakefront, along with wind gusts up to 30 mph in various locations.

If you must travel, please take additional time to prepare for the weather conditions and use caution, as roadways may become snow-covered and slippery leading to unfavorable conditions.

For an update on the latest road conditions from the Winter Storm Warning, please visit gettingaroundillinois.com for a live map of the roads near you.

Additional details on this alert may be found via the NWS web portal for Chicago, which is updated on a regular basis: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=41.88625500000006&lon=-87.62230999999997

In conjunction with our cross-sector public safety partners, Titan Security is monitoring a number of anticipated demonstrations and special events in the Chicago area the week of January 3, 2022. Additional information is provided below.

Anticipated Event Activity

Notes/Analysis

* = Annual protest and counterprotest; tensions raised this year due to pending U.S. Supreme Court ruling on abortion access

Safety Tips Near/During Protests

• If you see something suspicious, report it
• Carry water and stay hydrated
• Choose a landmark to meet at in case you are separated from your group
• Utilize the buddy system
• Remain alert and be observant of surroundings
• Leave any valuables at home
• Do not jump any barricades
• Secure handbags and wallets
• Stay calm and pleasant
• Follow your own instincts
• Leave yourself room to move quickly

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something.” For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4 (855-777-8274).

About Titan Security Group

Titan launched in 1994 with a vision for a better way to provide security services to the Midwest. Today, Titan is one of the largest security companies in North America, scheduling approximately 80,000 hours per week, employing more than 2,000 security staff, and have enjoyed over twenty-seven consecutive years of successfully serving our clients across a wide range of industries. Titan delivers results to clients through flexible, customized security solutions, and superior customer service. The Titan approach combines traditional security staffing with electronic security systems to provide integrated and efficient, customized security solutions from a single source.

Titan Security is a proud participant in the leadership of the BOMA/Chicago Preparedness Committee, dedicated to the safety of high rise commercial structures in the City of Chicago. Minutes from the most recent monthly meeting of the group on December 21, 2021 are shared below.

• Meeting was hosted via Microsoft Teams with approximately 32 attendees
• Hosts were Erin Belknap (Sterling Bay), Tom Henkey (Titan Security), and Ron Tabaczynski (BOMA)
• Mary May from the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) provided an update on several initiatives:
  • Smart911 system January relaunch and marketing campaign
  • “See Something, Say Something” reminder for holiday season (attachments provided to attendees)
  • Opportunities for suspicious activity reporting (SARS) via OEMC
    
• Retail theft task force launched by Chicago Police Department (CPD)
  • The Organized Retail Crime Task Force is an investigative unit targeting specific crimes
  • Group has already participated in one major bust/recovery; nine CPD employees now detailed
  • Similar in structure to previous looting task force, with no time limit for detail
  • Dedicated email for unit will be [email protected]
    
• Public-sector agencies in attendance provided specific updates:
  • CPD 1st District – supporting task force effort; “window” detail dedicated to retail corridors during holidays; New Years events include fireworks along Riverwalk
  • CPD 18th District – extra resources being dedicated to Loop as intelligence indicates; New Years events include fireworks at Navy Pier
  • Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – emphasized “See Something Say Something” model for physical security and cybersecurity; the CISA.gov website is now live
  • ChicagoFIRST association – possible COVID restrictions anticipated at federal, state, and/or local level; may include restricting gathering spaces to vaccinated individuals
    
• Brief committee announcements include the first meeting of 2022 planned for morning of January 18

ABOUT BOMA/Chicago

BOMA/Chicago is a trade association that has represented the interests of the Chicago office building industry since 1902. Membership includes approximately 240 commercial office, institutional and public buildings and about 170 companies that provide commercial building services to support operational excellence. BOMA/Chicago members constitute approximately 80 percent of all rentable office space and more than 98 percent of rentable space in Class A buildings downtown.

About Titan Security Group

Titan launched in 1994 with a vision for a better way to provide security services to the Chicagoland community. Today, Titan is one of the largest security companies in North America, scheduling approximately 67,000 hours per week, employing more than 2,000 security staff, and have enjoyed over twenty-seven consecutive years of successfully serving our clients across a wide range of industries. Titan delivers results to clients through flexible, customized security solutions, and superior customer service. The Titan approach combines traditional security staffing with electronic security systems to provide integrated and efficient, customized security solutions from a single source.

In conjunction with our cross-sector public safety partners, Titan Security is monitoring a number of anticipated special events in the Chicago area on New Year’s Eve, Friday December 31. Additional information is provided below:

• Friday December 31 at 12:00pm: 435 N Michigan (Tribune Tower), Group will gather for their cause “Remembering the Children We’ve Lost – New Year’s Eve March”
• Friday December 31 at 5:00pm: 50 W Washington (Daley Plaza), Group will gather/ride for their cause “Critical Mass Bicycle Caravan”
• Friday December 31 at 5:00pm: 201 E Randolph (Millennium Park), Group may gather for their event “Teen Trend Meet Up” *
• Friday December 31 at 12 midnight: Riverwalk and Navy Pier, Group(s) will gather for their event “City of Chicago Fireworks Displays” **

* = Attendance at previous Trend teen gatherings have been highly weather-dependent

** = Two official fireworks zones will be utilized on the night of New Year’s Eve – one at Navy Pier (600 East Grand) and one along the eastern end of the Riverwalk (30 East Wacker)

City of Chicago Fireworks Information

The 1.5-mile-long free fireworks display will begin at midnight and can be viewed along the Chicago River from Wolf Point near the Franklin/Orleans Street bridge to the east of Columbus Drive to Navy Pier. For public safety, the Riverwalk will be closed early to pedestrian traffic preceding the fireworks. The display can also be viewed live on WGN-TV.

With increased health and safety measures in place, fireworks will be launched from five bridges and two river launch points along the Main Branch of the Chicago River. OEMC is urging pedestrians, motorists, spectators and residents to be aware that streets and bridges in the Central Business District will close to all traffic as early as 11 p.m. on Friday, December 31 and anticipate reopening at 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 1. Complete details are provided below along with CTA and watercraft impacts. Note: Closures are subject to change if necessary due to public safety and operational needs. 

Street, Bridge and Riverwalk Closures

• Beginning at 4 p.m., sidewalks will close to pedestrians on one side of each of the following bridges (pedestrians will have access to the sidewalk on the remaining side of the bridge and be able to cross until the bridges are closed for the display launch between 11-11:30 p.m.): Franklin/Orleans Street bridge (west sidewalk), Lasalle Street bridge (east sidewalk), Clark Street bridge (east sidewalk), Dearborn Street bridge (west sidewalk), and State Street bridge (east sidewalk).
• At 4 p.m., the Chicago Riverwalk will close east of State Street to all pedestrian traffic. The remainder of the Riverwalk west of State Street will close based on public safety. Viewing will not be allowed from the Chicago Riverwalk.
• Beginning at 11 p.m., expect complete closures of the Franklin/Orleans Street, Lasalle Street, Clark Street, Dearborn Street, and State Street bridges to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
• Also, at 11:00 p.m., eastbound Upper, Middle and Lower Wacker Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic from Lake Street to Stetson Avenue. Pedestrian traffic and viewing from Upper Wacker Drive will be permitted.
• Streets and bridges are expected to reopen to vehicular traffic approximately 10 minutes after the fireworks display or when deemed safe to do so. We anticipate all bridges and streets to re-open by 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 1.

CTA Service Impact

• CTA will be operating on a Sunday/Holiday schedule on Friday, December 31st.
• Free Rides: CTA is once again providing free bus and rail rides beginning 10 p.m. Friday (12/31) until 4 a.m. Saturday (1/1); customers do not need to tap their Ventra Card or other payment methods to board buses or enter rail stations during this time (more info).
• Rail Service:
  • Purple and Yellow line service hours will be extended until approx. 2 a.m.
• Bus Service:
  • Expect complete closures of all bridges over the Chicago River between Franklin/Orleans Street Bridge and Lake Shore Drive for the fireworks display.
  • Beginning as early as 10 p.m. and until as late as 2 a.m., the following CTA buses running North and South over the river will operate only to Wacker for the duration of the event: #3 King Drive, #6 Jackson Park Express, #22 Clark, #36 Broadway, #62 Archer, #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express, #147 Outer Drive Express, and #151 Sheridan.
  • Other buses in the vicinity of the fireworks, including those serving Wacker Drive and Navy Pier are subject to temporary, rolling reroutes to adjacent streets.
  • A complete listing of all CTA bus service impacts is available at www.transitchicago.com/travel-information/bus-status/
  • Properly worn masks are required at all times while on CTA buses, trains and properties.

Watercraft Impact 

• Increased security measures will be in place.
• No boats are allowed to transit within the USCG Safety Zone which includes the area just west of the Franklin Street bridge and continuing east of the Columbus Drive bridge.

Safety Tips Near/During Protests

• If you see something suspicious, report it
• Carry water and stay hydrated
• Choose a landmark to meet at in case you are separated from your group
• Utilize the buddy system
• Remain alert and be observant of surroundings
• Leave any valuables at home
• Do not jump any barricades
• Secure handbags and wallets
• Stay calm and pleasant
• Follow your own instincts
• Leave yourself room to move quickly

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something.” For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4 (855-777-8274).

In conjunction with our cross-sector public safety partners and the City of Chicago, Titan Security is sharing the new Public Health Order, effective January 3, 2022, for certain establishments to verify that patrons are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

From the City of Chicago:

Effective Monday, January 3, 2022, the Chicago Vaccine Requirements will apply to the following public indoor places:  

• Indoor Dining: Establishments where food or beverages are served, including, but not limited to, restaurants, bars, fast food establishments, coffee shops, tasting rooms, cafeterias, food courts, dining areas of grocery stores, breweries, wineries, distilleries, banquet halls, and hotel ballrooms; and 
• Indoor Fitness: Gyms and fitness venues, including, but not limited to, gyms, recreation facilities, fitness centers, yoga, Pilates, cycling, barre, and dance studios, hotel gyms, boxing and kickboxing gyms, fitness boot camps, and other facilities used for conducting indoor group fitness classes; and 
• Indoor entertainment and recreation venues where food or beverages are served: Including, but not limited to, movie theaters, music and concert venues, live performance venues, adult entertainment venues, commercial event and party venues, sports arenas, performing arts theaters, bowling alleys, arcades, card rooms, family entertainment centers, play areas, pool and billiard halls, and other recreational game centers.

VALID PROOF OF VACCINATION INCLUDES:

• Valid photo ID (age 16+) and
  
• Vaccination Card
• Photocopy of vaccination card
• Digital record or app or
• Printed record from vaccine provider

RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYERS:

If your business is covered by the Chicago Vaccine Requirement policy, you are required to check the vaccination status of all patrons age 5 and older. You must not permit entry to anyone 5 and older who has not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless an exception applies. Businesses that do not comply with this policy will be subject to fines.

The City of Chicago mask mandate also remains in effect for all public indoor settings. The new order does not include capacity limits.

If any employees are not fully vaccinated, you must ensure that these employees both continue to mask when interacting with patrons and provide proof of a weekly negative COVID-19 test. 

For additional FAQ regarding the new vaccine requirements, please visit: https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/sites/covid-19-vaccine/Documents/Chicago_Vaccine_Requirement_FAQ_12.21.2021.pdf

Titan Security Group participated in the City of Chicago’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force meeting on Monday December 20. The Organized Retail Crime Task Force was developed to combat organized retail crime throughout the city as well as developing cooperation among law enforcement, retailers and local associations. The following is a summary of the meeting hosted on Zoom.

Organized Retail Crime Task Force, 12/20 Conference Call Notes
Hosted by Chicago Police Department (CPD): Commander Trish Zuber, Sergeant Ryan Delaney, Sergeant Chris Schenk

• Approximately 135 attendees on Zoom videocall
• Task force is an investigative unit focusing on detective work
• Unit started with 1 detective and a handful of officers
• Task force now up to approximately nine CPD employees
• Have been accelerating investigations over past two weeks
• Similar structure to looting task force in 2020, no time limit
• In contact with national retail organizations and task forces
• Dedicated email will be [email protected] 
• Emergencies in progress should contact 911
• CPD “window” detail during evening hours is focusing on retail corridors
• For reference, always keep a case number for any police reports filed
• Single point of contact at retailer is helpful for CPD
• Expect additional task force outreach to regular meetings of other organizations

In conjunction with our cross-sector public safety partners, Titan Security is monitoring a number of anticipated demonstrations and special events in the Chicago area. Additional information is provided below.

Anticipated Event Activity

Notes/Analysis

* = Attendance at previous Trend teen gatherings have been highly weather-dependent

** = Two official fireworks zones will be utilized on the night of New Year’s Eve – one at Navy Pier (600 East Grand) and one along the eastern end of the Riverwalk (30 East Wacker)

*** = Annual protest and counterprotest; tensions raised this year due to pending U.S. Supreme Court ruling on abortion access

Safety Tips Near/During Protests

• If you see something suspicious, report it
• Carry water and stay hydrated
• Choose a landmark to meet at in case you are separated from your group
• Utilize the buddy system
• Remain alert and be observant of surroundings
• Leave any valuables at home
• Do not jump any barricades
• Secure handbags and wallets
• Stay calm and pleasant
• Follow your own instincts
• Leave yourself room to move quickly

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something.” For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4 (855-777-8274).

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a High Wind Warning for the Chicago area.

Titan Security has been alerted that NWS is issuing a relatively rare High Wind Warning, their second most severe alert level, beginning at 6:00pm tonight and continuing into the morning of Thursday, December 16. Sustained winds are anticipated at 30 to 35 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 60 miles per hour.

Properties in the Chicago area are strongly advised to remove or secure any exterior items which may be impacted by strong winds. This would include construction materials, scaffolding, and holiday decorations. As a best practice, commerical and residential properties should check their perimeter for any such conditions.

Additional details may be found via the NWS web portal for Chicago, which is updated on a regular basis. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=41.88625500000006&lon=-87.62230999999997

Titan Security has taken part in multiple recent safety and security briefings with a range of private-sector associations and public-safety agencies. Both groups are closely monitoring an expected gathering of juveniles on Saturday evening, as well as the ongoing risk posed by organized retail theft rings. (See the post “Updated Notice of Protest Activity: December, 2021” for more information.) A summary of briefing content is provided below.

Specific Measures

• Titan Security is working with our public-sector partners as we monitor multiple activities and special events in the Central Business District (CBD) this weekend
• Regular updates will continue to be posted at https://titan-security.com/news-and-resources/
• The Chicago Police Department will be deploying additional resources in the CBD this weekend, including foot patrols, bike units, and the mounted unit
• Other City agencies will be deploying personnel, barricades, and equipment in the CBD and in retail corridors
• Additional security measures and hours of operation will be in place at Millennium Park on Saturday
• There may be localized safety restrictions on pedestrian or vehicular traffic in the CBD
• Increased situational awareness for all Loop residents and employees is highly encouraged
• Emergencies should result in a call to 911, situational communication may utilize the BOMA Slack channel or 311
• Please contact your Titan Security representative with any questions or concerns

Update from the Chicago Police Department Business Liaison Office

“The Chicago Police Department is aware there has been online chatter regarding the possibility for unsupervised youths to come into the Central Business District again this Saturday. CPD will have extra personnel and resources in and around the CBD.

There has also been some misinformation distributed through various media outlets and email chains suggesting there will be limited access to the CBD this weekend. There are currently no plans for mass street closures or limited access to the CBD this weekend.

For several years, the City of Chicago and CPD have had an emergency plan in place wherein the CBD can be ‘locked down’ if necessary. This plan is only implemented under extreme conditions.”

Safety Tips During or Near Protest Activity

• If you see something suspicious, report it
• Carry water and stay hydrated
• Choose a landmark to meet at in case you are separated from your group
• Utilize the buddy system
• Remain alert and be observant of surroundings
• Leave any valuables at home
• Do not jump any barricades
• Secure handbags and wallets
• Stay calm and pleasant
• Follow your own instincts
• Leave yourself room to move quickly

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something.” For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4 (855-777-8274).