Monday, January 7, 2013
As kids return to school today after winter break, Morton Grove Police Chief Mark Erickson stresses the police are working with schools on safety, and more security measures may be coming down the road.
The Dec. 14 Newtown, Conn. shootings are still on parents' minds today, as children return to school after winter break. Morton Grove Police Chief Mark Erickson, who taught D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) classes in schools before he became police chief, said his department works closely with schools on safety issues, and maintains a daily presence around schools. "We put such a high priority on this," he said. The department has a close relationship with school administrators, he added, and has done safety training with them as well as with neighboring police departments. Deputy Chief Brian Fenneley works specifically with school safety. Like Niles-Morton Grove Patch on Facebook for news, conversation Erickson expects more …
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
A local psychotherapist comments on a plea from a mom who says her son exhibits violent behavior, and she fears he might be the next Adam Lanza--who police have identified as the gunman in the Newtown slayings of 27 people.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Pam DeFiglio
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Tuesday, December 18, 2012
While Adam Lanza may have been a troubled, mentally ill youth, there are such people everywhere, including Niles, Park Ridge, Skokie and Chicago's north suburbs, said Seth Knobel, director of Niles Family Services. He has worked with families here who have kids going through erratic, bizarre behavior and mental illness--similar to what Adam Lanza, who police say killed 27 in the Newtown, Conn. shooting-- may have experienced. "It doesn't necessarily mean they'll grow up to be mass murderers," he said. However, it IS important for parents to take children with extremely disruptive behavioral issues to see a mental health professional, Knobel emphasized. That's especially critical for parents like the writer of the essay "I Am Adam Lanza'…
Sunday, December 16, 2012
A mother who has lost a child urges parents, grandparents to rise up and take action for gun control. A Letter to the Editor.
The following Letter to the Editor represents the views of the writer. Patch merely serves as a platform for individals to express their opinions. Well folks, HERE WE GO AGAIN1I am sick and tired of the mindset of the gun lobby! And our citizens that have fought for and earned the right to carry guns to schools, churches and public meetings! What has happened to our values? Is it more important to save the lives of innocent children or ensure every damn person the right to bear arms? Doesn't each child deserve the right to go to school in safety, to be able to grow up and live a life? How much longer are these senseless executions of our young people going to take place? Murder is NOT a strong enough term. They are being executed. while …
Pat Craig
8:57 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
How many school children have been killed by fire in the past 50 years? Answer, none. Ask yourself why that is. Are firemen so much better at protecting kids lives than policemen? Look around a school. You will see sprinklers, and fire resistant building materials, and fire extinguishers and fire hoses. All kinds of prevention and fire avoidance devices. The fire department works closely with … more ›