Sounds like a police state.
Crane’s detailed external security plan already includes blockades that divert all traffic but buses from in front of the school; CTA buses at the school waiting for students as they exit; school security guards at each bus stop and Crane staffers on every corner; 10 to 14 police squad cars that bring 20 to 27 officers each day to surround the school, and five police cameras within a block. Chicago Sun-Times
The sad thing is that it seems fully justified. A gang related murder outside the school on March 7 has terrified the community, resulting in 200 students remaining home. Officials have authorized “Operation Safe Passage” which will add police escorts to the districts security plan.
Somehow, I think there are bigger issues here than school attendance. Just look at the neighborhoods which feed this school:
Ivy, a junior, was from Rockwell Gardens, long a stronghold of the Traveling Vice Lords. Devonte’s home in ABLA is New Breeds turf. The school also draws kids from Henry Horner public housing — home to factions of the Black Disciples and Four Corner Hustlers — and from the private St. Stephen’s Terrace, considered Vice Lords turf.
Scary stuff.
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Those poor kids….
No kidding…
You know what is really sad? This stuff happens in Los Angeles all of the time (recently a gang shooting near the school wounded 5 school children and three individuals) and LA just increases patrolling, holds a few meetings and life goes on. I wish something more would happen… now not to the extent of what you quoted, by any means; but something that could make these children safer.
“Life goes on…”
That is the sad part. I don’t really understand it…but I haven’t grown up in it, so I don’t know what I would do.
Situations like that are when I hope that the Chicago Virtual School is successful for many of those families in that awful situation. I just hope it’s not an ugly mix with all of the oversight too.
On a slightly milder level, but with the question about a police state, Dana, you have seen my rantings about daytime curfews in Illinois. A friend sent me this that is related to the daytime curfew in Rockford, IL. Illinois just freaks me out right now, I’m tellin’ ya.
Police Hand Out Truancy Tickets on Mayor’s Orders
Rockford students roaming the halls when they should be in class walked away with a little extra homework Monday. On an order from the mayor, police gave truancy tickets to those skipping classes.
East High School Chief Operating Officer Earl Hernandez says police patrols in the hallways is a good idea.
Police in the school to hand out truancy tickets, for criminy sakes.
Poor kids is right. What are they learning?
Oh my…truancy ticket for being in school? I didn’t mind the principal who was having teachers lock their doors at the bell, forcing late comers to go to study hall. But this case sounds a little extreme.
Maybe we should deal with the root problems rather than just its effects?
Yes, it is very sad. Almost seems not real to me. I am just grateful that I do not have to live in such a place. In fact, I blogged not too long ago about this exact incident and what some of the kids said about it. They had more perspective than many of the adults.
i have family memebers that attend crane and it’s always been that way the kid get mad cause others are doing better then them them thats when it starts i was mad because they make it seem like it’s wrong to defend youself when some one come at you the wrong way the abla (villige) has always been that way jus last year my cousin was at my grandmas housein abla and she got stuck over there because the whole housing
area of girls was out side of my grandmas house tryin to get in to jump on her they broke otu car windows and every thing and the bad part is the cops didnt do anything e called them way before it got outta hand but that didnt work so when theses kids resort to violence why do something now
you see these thing dont jus happen at school they happen every where you’re not safe any where you cant jus get into a fight cause now you gotta worry about this guy ir girl lookin for u tryin to kill you or gunn you down the cops dont tell that do they?
It seemed to me that this story was evidence of a community that has fallen apart. The police presence likely only will add some temporary security, but not real safety.
I can’t imagine living in an area like that. Thank you for sharing your perspective on the issue. I’ve never been anywhere close to situations like that.