As special events begin to ramp up after COVID-19 impacts, there are several events taking place this weekend including a concert at the United Center, Chicago Fire Soccer home opener at Soldier Field and the Polar Plunge on Sunday at North Avenue Beach. OEMC reminds participants and spectators to be aware in crowds and call 9-1-1 to report any suspicions of criminal or terrorist activity.

Chicago Fire Home Opener and United Center Concert, Saturday, March 5
Soldier Field: Chicago Fire home opener is at Soldier Field with its earliest start in its history on Saturday. The Chicago Fire opens their 2022 season against the Orlando City SC at 5 p.m.
United Center: New Edition: The Culture Tour with Charlie Wilson + Jodeci on Saturday begins at 8 p.m., with gates open at 6:30 p.m.

The Chicago Polar Plunge, Sunday, March 6
North Avenue Beach: The Chicago Polar Plunge is headed back to the beach with all the polar plungers, volunteers, and supporters on Sunday at North Avenue Beach, located at 1600 N. Lake Shore Drive. Registration opens at 8 a.m., with opening ceremonies beginning at 9:45 a.m. The plunges will happen in waves, beginning at 10 a.m.

The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) will monitor all citywide events, activities, traffic, and weather conditions throughout the weekend from the Operations Center and coordinate public safety resources as needed with all necessary agencies.

Pole Marker Locations: For public safety, residents are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the poles throughout the Grant Park area to help them reference their location within the park to friends, family and first responders if there is an emergency. Pole markings are established within the boundaries of Roosevelt Rd. to Randolph St., Lake Shore Drive (LSD) to Michigan Avenue, Ida B Wells Dr to Michigan Ave to Columbus Dr, Jackson St to Michigan Ave, Monroe St to Columbus Dr, 3900 LSD to 6600 LSD.

Motorists in the areas where events are happening should be prepared for heavy traffic and possible reroutes. To ensure public safety, Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at events citywide to direct flow and impacts from heavy traffic. Public transportation is encouraged. For more information on CTA services and reroutes, visit www.transitchicago.com or call 312-836-7000 from any area code/1-888-YOUR-I CTA.

Report Suspicious Activity: If you See Something Say Something. The city reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.

Smart911: Residents with an existing or new Smart911 safety profile can volunteer to share with police recorded home surveillance camara footage should a crime occur nearby or outside their residence. By simply opting in on an existing Smart911 profile or by creating a new profile at Smart911.com, residents can agree to share home surveillance camera footage by allowing the CPD to contact them in the event of a crime. All information is private.

OEMC will issue any alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on weather conditions and emergencies. Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org. OEMC also issues TEXT alerts for lakefront notices, issues affecting businesses or COVID-19 updates:
• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5
• CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3
• COVID: Get COVID-19 updates by TEXTING “COVID19” to 6-7-2-8-3

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications onFacebook (@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC) and Instagram (chicago_oemc_911).

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