In addition to the midnight fireworks show at Navy Pier, a private company will be launching a midnight fireworks display along the Chicago River.<\/b>
\nChicago (CBS) \u2014 With large crowds expected downtown tonight, more than 1,000 extra Chicago police officers will be working as celebrations get underway.
At least 1,000 people are expected to ring in 2019 in the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier, where additional security officers have been added.
\u201cOn big events like New Year\u2019s Eve, we do work very closely with local law enforcement, CPD, the mayor\u2019s office and alderman\u2019s office to bring in more security resources to make sure our guests are comfortable and safe,\u201d Navy Pier spokesperson Lydia Jordan-Parnell said.
Navy Pier\u2019s security is being joined by plainclothes officers from the Chicago Police Department\u2019s organized crime division, area saturation teams and federal agencies.
Several hundred working in this capacity will also be downtown.
\u201cAll bags are subject to search and so there are some extra measures that we do add just to make sure that our guests feel safe,\u201d Jordan-Parnell said.
In addition to the midnight fireworks show from the south end of Navy Pier, a private company in partnership with some hotels and restaurants will be launching a midnight fireworks display along the Chicago River. The fireworks can be viewed at multiple locations along the Riverwalk from Lake Street to Lake Shore Drive.
The Franklin Street, Clark Street and Wabash Avenue Bridges will be shut down.
Tickets, starting at $125, are still available for the Navy Pier Grand Ballroom celebration and the Crystal Gardens, to ring in 2019.<\/p>\n