The victory was marked by random acts of violence and looting, not unlike the celebrations when the Bulls won their first championship in 1991. It's a reality that many feel should have been prevented. Nearly 100 police officers were injured, some 1000 arrests were made. Damage to the city's west side where fires were set and looting was widespread ran into at least several hundred thousand dollars. Storefront windows along the city's fashionable Michigan Avenue were smashed leaving residents fearful.
Police maintain the city was well protected.
Some store owners believe they were ill-equipped to handle the crowds. The police got a handle on the situation a couple of hours too late for the hundreds of people who were injured and dozens of merchants trying to put their stores back together again. In June 1997, the Chicago Bulls won their fifth NBA championship, defeating the Utah Jazz. There were fewer arrests during the overnight street revelry, and about a dozen were charged with felonies, such as burglary and property damage, compared to more than 300 on victory night 1992. Inc. All Rights Reserved.