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Posted: Saturday, 04 July 2009 7:45AM
After last year's violence, city welcomes peaceful fireworks
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CHICAGO (STNG) -- This year's Taste of Chicago July 3 fireworks spectacular transpired relatively peacefully, viewed by 1.25 million people and unmarred by the shootings that took place last year.
As the huge crowd made its way home, police said the only serious incident was a man arrested outside the grounds who had been spotted with a shotgun sticking out of his backpack.
Police presence was heavier this year, and access to the Taste was restricted to four entrances, where visitors had to file past Chicago Police officers.
Supt. Jody Weis said the increased police visibility would deter trouble and draw more families.
And that's what appeared to be happening, city special events director Megan McDonald said. "We're seeing more strollers, we're seeing more senior citizens," she said.
Last year, four people were shot at the festivities, one fatally.
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Copyright 2009 STNG Wire, The Chicago Sun-Times. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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