Plainfield police ask to store guns in schools

PLAINFIELD — Police in Plainfield are asking school officials for permission to store rifles in the village's high schools so they'll be ready if violence breaks out.

The (Joliet) Herald-News reports that the Plainfield School Board is scheduled to consider the request at the board's meeting on Monday.

Plainfield Police Chief John Konopek wants the district to install gun safes at its four high schools so the school resource officer can store a rifle. Konopek says having the extra weapon on hand would be useful “if a situation involving a shooter arises.” He adds they hope that never happens but they wouldn't be doing their jobs if they didn't prepare for the worst-case scenario.

School district spokesman Tom Hernandez says the board is willing to consider the request.