Intense discussions around school security in Highland Park escalated Tuesday night as Township District 113′s school board meeting drew roughly 20 parents and others calling for the implementation of metal detectors and armed security.
Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune.Highland Park High School 9th grader Lily Dahms uses a microphone as she and others in favor of installing metal detectors and utilizing other security measures in Highland Park schools protest outside of the District 113 office on May 30, 2023.
Police officers stand outside of the District 113 office on May 30, 2023 as the District 113 school board discussed the potential implementation of metal detectors and other security measures in Highland Park schools. Board President Dan Struck called the security issue “really hard” and “challenging,” adding that the survey results, “illustrated the tension that is at work with these issues.”
But when the wording of questions shifted, like one question which alluded to possible extracurricular spending cuts, 60% of respondents said they were strongly or somewhat opposed, compared to 40% strongly or somewhat in favor. Perez said protesters were hoping to partner with a security company to demonstrate how metal detectors could be used on site before the meeting, but that plan did not work out.
The community division was evident before the meeting. As Harjung gave an interview, a passing car honked its horn loudly and was greeted with cheers by protesters, until they realized the driver was sternly shaking their head, seemingly in disapproval. “If the district wants to invest that money in violence prevention in our community I applaud them, but respectfully encourage that they seek the root of the issue, not the fruit of it,” Neblo said.
Rolfe said that protesters’ “lack of maturity and sensitivity overshadowed their thoughts and opinions,” particularly when Langer quipped during the meeting that the students were “woke.” The security consultant, Timm, said he has conducted about 2,000 school safety assessments in his career. He answered questions from the board about evolving metal and weapons detection technology, and what works and what the benefits and drawbacks are when it comes to school districts that deploy metal detecting devices.
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