GlobeSt.com UPDATE: Chicago Steps Up Loop Security After London Bombing

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CHICAGO-In response to this morning’s terrorist attacks on London’s commuter rail line, Chicago officials have put in place extra precautionary measures for the safety of Downtown Chicago commuters. With beefed-up presence at train stations, buses and bridges, authorities hope to prevent any potential threat of a locally based terrorist attack.

At a press conference held by the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications this morning, Mayor Richard M. Daley said city officials have been in close contact with the Chicago division of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and facilities managers in and around the Loop to ensure a security network throughout the city. Authorities have also increased security along Michigan Avenue near the Wrigley Building, the site of the British Consulate, as well as other high-visibility buildings.

“Business has to be able to move along; people have to be able to move to and from work,” said Daley, reiterating that while there has been no indication of a Chicago attack, the city has initiated heightened security sweeps of the CBD transit systems.

Daley emphasized the importance of the city’s recent installment of nearly 2,000 security cameras in train stations, buildings and alleys, while encouraging city employees and residents to report any suspicious activity or stand-alone packages. During the conference, word came that the national office of Homeland Security increased the security threat of transit lines nation-wide to a level orange.

As reported this morning by GlobeSt.com, the whole of London’s transport system had been disabled after six explosions, five of which were in the underground and one in a double-decker bus. A spokesman for Scotland Yard called it a “major incident” and said there were “many casualties and fatalities,” but the police have yet to release final figures. At press time, 33 casualties had been reported.