Will County officials talk metal detectors and mental health, want to partner with schools on security
As Will County officials discussed school security, they clearly agreed that something must be done to protect students but the solutions were less obvious.
Ideas were tossed around during a special joint session of the county board’s Judicial and the Public Health and Safety committees last week, that ranged from metal detectors and clear backpacks, to teaching kids about morality and the value of life.
Joining the discussion were Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow, Will County Sheriff Deputy Ed Hayes, and Regional School Superintendent Shawn Walsh.
The forum was prompted by county board member Ray Tuminello, R-New Lenox, who said a lot is done to keep weapons out of stadiums, concert venues and courthouses, but there are no such protections in schools.
The focus has been on reacting to a crisis, rather than preventing one, he said.
“What are we doing to prevent guns from getting into schools before they even start shooting?” he said.
Tuminello initially suggested armed guards, cameras and metal detectors at school entrances in the unincorporated areas, but the county has no authority to require those.
County officials said they want to continue the discussion with area schools and the sheriff’s department to see how they can partner on the issue.
“We need to come together as a group and think about ways to protect our children. It is obvious everyone has the same desire. We’re not trying to step on toes with school districts, but how can the county help them?” Tuminello said.
“We need to work with the schools, and find out what they want and how we can help,” Judicial Committee chairman Darren Bennefield, R-Aurora, said.
Board member Tyler Marcum said they should specifically meet with officials from Joliet Township High School, which has metal detectors, security guards, and programs to address mental health issues.
The YESS (Youth Experiencing Success in Schools) program at JTHS, which helps students address life issues, has been successful in reducing the dropout rate and violence, because kids have someone to talk to, Glasgow said.
Kathleen Burke, the county’s director of substance abuse initiatives, said, “We have taken support services out (of schools) and put security in. That is out of balance.”
To prevent school shootings, officials said they have to consider the underlying causes — understand why kids turn to violence or drugs.
Glasgow, who was previously on a crusade against violent video games, said it doesn’t bother kids today to kill because they are doing it “thousands of times” on a TV screen and adults have “ignored it.”
Board member Steve Balich, R-Homer Township, said the root of the problem is the “lack of morality and respect” in today’s youth.
“Metal detectors won’t stop that,” he said. “We have to teach kids the importance of life.”
Glasgow said that while he supports the 2nd Amendment, he is also concerned about “shoddy, irresponsible gun ownership,” which results in kids having access to guns.
“We need to place more responsibility on gun owners. There should be criminal consequences for that,” he said.
“We need to get everyone working together so no one drops the ball. I am optimistic we can make changes and be a model for the nation,” Glasgow said.
Walsh and Hayes gave an overview of how security currently is being handled.
Hayes, who oversees security for the sheriff’s department in 28 unincorporated schools, said the only schools with armed deputies are the three Lincoln-Way High Schools, which comprise the county’s largest school district.
But none of the schools have metal detectors and deputies do not pat people down, he said.
“But we do assess their actions, watch social media and investigate all threats,” he said. The sheriff’s department also has blueprints of its schools and copies of all bus routes.
According to Walsh, each school has a safety team, designs its own emergency plan, and meets annually with police and fire officials to review those plans and discuss the best practices.
Schools are required to have drills for active shooters, evacuations, fires and tornadoes, he said.
His office also has offered professional development for teachers in areas of mental and behavioral health, he said.
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