NBA All-Star Weekend = Poop on the Streets?

A reader writes to the 3rd Ward Alderman Team:

For some reasons, all the trash cans on the street corners in our neighborhood have disappeared. They were collected by what I think was a Streets and Sanitation truck a day or so ago. What is going on? Are we getting these trash cans back? Obviously, our neighborhood needs trash cans. It is especially important for dog owners like ourselves who need to dispose of pet waste. Unfortunately, if these trash cans are not returned, I fear that trash, including pet-waste bags, is going to be thrown on the ground, and nobody wants that. Can you please let us know what is going on and when we can expect to see the trash cans back?

Response:

Thank you for your email.  As you know, the NBA All Star Weekend is upon us and Wintrust Arena is one of the main venues for the weekend activities.  Celebrities, national and local government and elected officials, and NBA officials and athletes are attending and the City is responsible for securing the area.  The trash cans were removed as a precaution to insure the safety of all visitors and residents of the area.  The cans will be returned to their locations at the end of the weekend.  

The 3rd Ward Team

We haven't heard of trash cans being removed before, but we did post about Mail Boxes being removed due to protests or sealed up for Lollapalooza:

Understand security measures taken for high-profile attendees (sounds like Obama is going to be in the city), but wonder how they will feel about poop bombs on the street.  Watch where you're walking.

(Hat tip:  AB!)