Grant, relationship with authorities adds up to increased security at Libertyville schools

While a police car outside a Libertyville Elementary District 70 school may have been a cause for concern in the past, it's now almost routine as police have increased their presence as part of overall security improvements.

"We started a relationship with local police and fire even before Sandy Hook and we've beefed it up," District 70 Superintendent Guy Schumacher said referring to the Dec 14, 2012, shootings at the elementary school in Newtown, CT, where 20 children and 6 adult staff members were fatally shot.

"Historically, when you see a police car in front of a school, you'd be alarmed," Schumacher said. "Now, it's a sense of comfort."

Time permitting, officers are asked to stop at each school in their patrol district, at least once or twice per week, for a meet and greet - sometimes even a bite to eat - with students and faculty. Officers also walk through the buildings with an eye on security features.

Police Chief Clint Herdegen said the increased presence at schools is not uncommon in current policing standards.

"Since implementing the program, officers have become more familiar with the layout of each school and have developed professional relationships with the principals and some of their staff," Herdegen said.

"It is this new sense of relationship - we see each other differently," Schumacher added.

The assessments follow news that District 70 received $59,000 through the Illinois School Security Grant Program. The funds will be used this summer to install video cameras to front school entrances, coat front window glass with shatter-resistant film and create a mobile app with specific emergency information to be used by law enforcement and school officials.

That mobile app will take the place of running out the door with a 'What to do in an Emergency' binder, Schumacher said.

The grant is part of a $25 million pool of funds issued through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to 448 public elementary and secondary school districts for various projects, such as reinforced doors and other security measures. More that two dozen Lake County school districts received awards.

Since January 2013, District 70 has invested about $375,000 in security enhancements at its six buildings, including five schools. Those include changing front entrances at schools to create a vestibule that can be locked so visitors are buzzed in, visitor screening systems and new locks on classroom doors. Buttons to alert security to potential threats in buildings also have been installed, and every school has held drills with police and fire officials.

Enhancing school security is a national trend, according to Schumacher.

"We've done so much since Sandy Hook," he said.

<URL destination="https://twitter.com/dhMickZawislak">@dhmickzawislak