Plainfield Schools Beef Up Security with Wireless Alarm Systems

•  Yellow “emergency stations” to be located in public spaces throughout the schools which students and staff can easily utilize during an emergency
• Mobile wireless pendants that activate the emergency alarm system for key administrators to wear
• Wireless desk-mounted emergency buttons that will be strategically and discreetly located in easy reach of key office personnel.

Normally, the additional security would cost around $170,000. However, ADS agreed to install the systems free of charge in exchange for a five-year extension to its current contract with District 202. District 202 now pays about $220,000 to ADS for annual maintenance.

The new systems aren’t the first step the district has taken to bolster security in response to the Newtown tragedy. Immediately following the shooting, District 202 increased police presence at its campuses.

In the weeks after the shooting, school officials also met with representatives of the Plainfield, Joliet and Will County Sheriff’s police departments to discuss school safety.

“The police suggested numerous ways that we can heighten security both immediately and down the road. Some of these ideas may be implemented in the coming weeks. Some will need more discussion by administrators and the Board of Education. In any case, we will keep you informed, as appropriate, of significant security changes,” Supt. John Harper said at the time.

District administrators worked for five months with local law enforcement to research new security options to complement what the district already does, according to a press release issued Wednesday by District 202.

“This step will give us one more tool to make sure everyone in our buildings can do the important work that needs to be done in our schools and facilities,” Harper said in the release. “Of course, the best ‘security measure’ is always a good working relationship with our public safety officials. We greatly appreciate their assistance and expertise throughout this process.”

In addition to new security measures, District 202 continues to take steps such as locking school doors during the day, requiring visitors to check in at the main office and having students do eight security and safety drills each year. The drills include several unannounced intruder drills under police supervision.

On Wednesday, the district responded to suggestions from some community members that the front entrances at each campus be fortified. “Doing so would cost about $22 million, according to architects’ estimates culled over the last six months,” the district said in the press release.

Incidents underscore need for security measures

The Sandy Hook tragedy isn’t the only recent event that had parents and staff thinking about school safety.

Nearby Oswego School District 308 beefed up security and increased police following rumored threats at Oswego High School last December.

In May, a man was apprehended outside of District 202’s Liberty Elementary School after banging on doors as he held his hand in the shape of a gun, police said. 

School had been dismissed for the day, but several dozen students were at the campus for Girl Scouts and other after-school programs at the time of the incident. Although the man did not enter the school, police did a sweep of the campus, inside and out. Police later said the man suffered from a medical condition, and did not have a weapon.

Last summer, Plainfield Police Chief John Konopek approached District 202 with a proposal to allow high school resource officers to keep their rifles in a locked safe on campus. The proposal was met with mixed reaction from parents, one of whom even launched an online petition in opposition to the plan, and was eventually dropped.

Related:

• Man Apprehended Following Lockdown at Plainfield District Campus
• Plainfield Schools Security Update: Police, District Officials Meet to Review Procedures
• Worry and Fear Grips Schools and Parents in Wake of Newtown Shooting and Local Threats
• Increased Police Presence Planned at Plainfield Schools
• JJC Prepares for Worst-Case Scenario with 'Active Shooter' Drill
• No Gun Safes in Plainfield Schools: Police Withdraw Rifle Request
• Mom’s Petition Opposes Rifles in Plainfield Schools