Hundreds of police officers show up for canceled protest

October 28, 2006 (WLS) -- Hundreds of police officers showed up to keep the peace at what was supposed to be an anti-war rally Saturday afternoon. Police are now calling it a waste of resources after the protesters did not show.

It's a mix up that will cost tax payers tens of thousands of dollars. The anti-war demonstration at Washington Square was supposed to start at noon and the Chicago Police Department was ready. But the protesters were a no show, and police say it was a big waste of time and money.

They waited patiently on foot, on bike and in the streets. Hundreds of Chicago police officers were ready to make sure Saturday's anti-war demonstration stayed peaceful. Their job was easier than expected -- because no one showed up.

"We prepared a response to ensure that they would have a safe, orderly march, behind that and unfortunately what happens was this group cancelled their march without informing the Chicago Police Department," said Deputy Superintendent Charles Williams, Chicago Police Department.

Some neighbors were just as confused as the police officers.

"It's just crazy! It looks like there is thousands cops lining the streets. We decided to come out, we heard there was a protest, we were going to check it out and came down and now there's nothing here," said Jim Steimer.

The CTA also had extra staff on hand Saturday prepared to re-route 13 bus routes if necessary. Police officers were expecting thousands of protesters and made sure they were well prepared.

The police department does not want to see a repeat of what happened in 2003 when an anti-war demonstration got out of control.

Organizing a large police force like this takes a lot of planning, and a lot of money.

"this is an example of us deploying a large number of resources that we could have deployed to better activities to reducing crime in the neighborhoods," said Williams.

The organizer of the protest, John Beacham, says his group instead decided to pass out anti-war flyers throughout neighborhoods. He says the mix up is the city's fault.

"We never got a permit from the city," said John Beacham, Illinois Anti-War Coalition.

The police showed us what they say is the permit -- approved months ago -- with John Beacham's name right at the top.

"I know nothing about that. We applied for a permit and there was never any confirmation of the permit from the city and a long time ago we decided not to have a demonstration," said Beacham.

Beacham had one more theory as to why the police department should have known protesters weren't showing up.

"The city is usually spying on us and watching us carefully, so we just figured they understood there wasn't a demonstration today," said Beecham.

The Chicago Police Department would not provide an exact figure as to how much money was wasted. But the deputy superintendent says the department will look into recouping some of its costs.

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