Illinois State Police (ISP) District 1 Interim Commander Lt. Carl Heintz announced ISP Troopers have begun making random checks at schools throughout the district. Most checks will take place during school days, but will include after-school events.
Lt. Heintz stated, “We share the Community’s concern about school safety. The ISP is pitching in to support our local Law Enforcement partners, in providing high visibility, added security, and peace of mind, for both students and parents.”
District 1 Troopers may pass through the campus or park and finish their reports. Troopers may also walk the hallways and greet students and faculty. “We don’t want anyone to feel alarmed if they see our squads on campus,” stated Heintz.
He added, “Troopers may show up at prom or a sporting event. They might simply park in the lot during a school day or sit in the cafeteria for lunch with students. I’ve given our personnel free latitude in making sporadic, oftentimes unplanned appearances at schools. It is our desire to show students that we do far more than check speed on highways and that we care about them.”
“There is a great deal of concern over school safety, especially as of late. The ISP can offer resources to supplement our local partners in keeping schools safe, while easing some of the concerns and fears of our communities,” concluded Heintz.