Huge fences, barricades erected around Dem convention site

Law enforcement agencies are upping protective measures ahead of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), which starts on Monday in Chicago, Illinois.

"Protective fencing is up, street closures are beginning and local and federal law enforcement officials say Chicago is prepared as Democrats begin to descend on the city for the party's convention," ABC7 reported.

Local residents have expressed concern about the lack of communication from city officials regarding the street closures and related traffic issues, CBS News Chicago reported. 

The DNC starts less then two months after a would-be assassin nearly claimed the life of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

"Comparing Butler to a national special security event - you can't compare it," Special Agent in Charge Derek Mayer of the Secret Service said. "This is a whole of government approach - we've been planning for this convention for well over a year."

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling told CNN that the assassination attempt "heighten[ed] our awareness" of threats.

Looming in the city's memory are the anti-Vietnam War protests of 1968, when law enforcement and activists clashed in Chicago.

Snelling said the Chicago police has "taken corrective action on those past mistakes."

He vowed to protect protesters' First Amendment rights but warned that any unlawful conduct may result in arrest.

"We will protect them while they're doing that, but we will not guarantee someone that we're not going to make arrests if they start to act violently or commit crimes," Snelling said.