Some Chicago Businesses Boarding Up, Pre-emptively

Windows Boarded Up Precaution
Photo credit (WBBM Newsradio/Steve Miller)

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Some businesses on Chicago’s North Side have been boarding up windows pre-emptively, to avoid the kind of vandalism and looting that have befallen stores in other areas of the city. 

In Lincoln Square, at least a couple of businesses, including Gene’s Sausage Shop, were taking the precaution. 

The contractor who was putting up the coverings said good, 3/4-inch plywood was getting hard to come by, in the wake of protest violence that led to looting and other damage over the weekend.

“It’s becoming a major problem,” Eddie Rodriguez told WBBM Newsradio’s Steve Miller. 

Miller saw similar precautionary boarding up occurring in Lake View and the Southport business corridor.

George Floyd protests turned violent over the weekend in Chicago and other cities, with some officials blaming outside agitators for orchestrating some of the damage.

Several shops boarding up on Southport corridor because they say social media indicating Lakeview and Lincoln Park may be targeted for looting. @WBBMNewsradio pic.twitter.com/XNfix9Y7H8

— Stephen Miller (@ssmiller) June 1, 2020