Chicago cops ready for Obama rally

CHICAGO, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Chicago officials are advising police officers assigned to Tuesday's Election Night rally in Grant Park to stay cool and be prepared for anything, sources say.

Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Barack Obama will be holding what he hopes will be a massive outdoor victory party attended by some 70,000 ticketed guests along Chicago's lakefront, and nervous newer officers are being told to be judicious in their policing, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

Hundreds of thousands more people could flock to downtown to celebrate if the Democratic Illinois senator wins the White House.

"We have so many younger officers that have never been through something like this that they have to be told what to do," an unnamed 18-year veteran sergeant told the newspaper.

Among the bits of advice reportedly being given to officers include bringing gel shoe inserts to cope with long hours of standing, clearing the area of rocks that could be thrown, carrying eye protection and water, avoiding overreaction and, above all, sticking together.

"It's history," the police sergeant told the Sun-Times. "And we have the front-row seat."