By Associated Press - Thursday, May 23, 2019

CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago police officials say the department will boost its deployment of officers over the Memorial Day weekend in an effort to prevent an outbreak of violence that has occurred in past years.

Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi (Gooh-YEHL’-meeh) says 1,200 officers will be working overtime and on adjusted schedules over the three-day holiday.

Last year, about 1,000 additional officers were deployed over the holiday, still there were nine people gunned down and 29 others wounded.

Newly-installed Mayor Lori Lightfoot has made Memorial Day weekend safety and the prevention of a summer surge of violence her top priority.

Lightfoot and city department heads on Thursday were promoting about 100 youth programs, activities and community events across the city over the holiday weekend in an effort to tamp down illegal activity.

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