Police: Student's behavior led to arrest

Racially charged comments about blacks by a white teenager at Warren Township High School's upperclassmen campus resulted in his arrest, police said, because he alarmed two female students.

Part of Curtis Hiett's behavior included driving to the Almond Road building this week with a noose hanging from his rear-view mirror and a Confederate flag inside his car, Gurnee Deputy Police Chief Kevin Woodside said. He was unable to describe the size of the noose.

Woodside said it was the periodic remarks about blacks in general made by Hiett -- not the vehicle's contents -- that resulted in a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge Thursday.

"This is particularly outrageous because of the school environment," he said.

Black students made up roughly 10 percent of the school's 4,063 enrollment, according to the most recent statistics available in the 2006 Illinois State Report Card.

Police said Hiett, 17, of 979 Charles Ave., Gurnee, was arrested at his home. He's slated to appear in Lake County court Oct. 23.

Carolyn Waller, a Warren Township High School District 121 spokeswoman, said classes for juniors and seniors were held without disruption at the Almond building Friday. She said school officials couldn't comment on possible disciplinary measures against Hiett.

"I can say he is with his parents," Waller said.

Hiett, whose parents could not be reached for comment, is accused of behaving inappropriately and alarming two girls at school since the academic year began. He was arrested after District 121 officials contacted police Thursday.

Democratic state Rep. Eddie Washington of Waukegan said he was contacted for assistance this week by three Latino and black Warren students who were troubled by Hiett. Washington said the teenagers went to him because they didn't believe District 121 administrators were taking seriously their concerns.

But Washington said he didn't need to get involved because Warren officials contacted Gurnee police.

Adults must stay on top of what students are saying and their behavior, Washington said. It's preferable for educators to summon police about a student who is alarming others than to look the other way, he added.

"I'd rather be safe than sorry," he said.