The Chicago Police Department will increase its presence near Daley Plaza, the site of Chicago's annual Christkindlmarket, following Monday’s deadly attack at a Christmas market in Berlin that left at least 12 people dead and dozens more injured. Additional foot and bike patrols, as well as specialized units, are being deployed in the area around Chicago's largest open-air market, the department said in a statement.
“The Chicago Police Department is closely monitoring events [in] Berlin, and we are in regular communication with our federal and international partners,” the statement read. “We continue to work closely with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, as well as with federal partners, to ensure an optimal level of public safety throughout the holiday season.”
Police said there is no specific threat to the city or the greater metropolitan area, but encouraged people who see any “suspicious or questionable activity” to report it to the closest officer or call 911.
In a statement released by Christkindlmarket Chicago, organizers of the annual German-themed holiday market acknowledged Monday’s attack and offered their condolences to the victims. "Our heartfelt thoughts go out to all the families and first responders who were affected by today’s tragedy in Berlin," Christkindlmarket representatives said in the statement.
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