You’ll Know McHenry County College Is Serious About Student Safety When…

You’ll Know McHenry County College Is Serious About Student Safety When…

The college board of trustees authorizes the men protecting the campus to be armed.

Last fall, State Rep. Linda Chapa-LaVia (D-Aurora) filed legislation that would allow all university police officers to carry guns while on duty. It passed the Illinois House 91-18, according to a Daily Herald article by Amber Krosel.

Does that make sense or what?

For McHenry County College to qualify, it would have to switch from a security guard model to a police force model.

How hard can that be?

Until recently, I was curious as to whether the Northern Illinois University police carried hand guns.

I was told they did.

So, even with handguns available to protect students and staff, there is no guarantee of success.

But, waiting for the Crystal Lake Police to respond to a call from MCC security officers seems second best to giving the officers themselves the means to protect themselves and others against an armed threat.

Harper College, Elgin Community College and the College of DuPage already have gun toting officers.

The College of Lake County is currently considering converting its security force into a police department. That would beat pepper spray and night sticks.

If it passes the Senate and is signed by the governor, it would take effect on New Year’s Day.

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The photo of State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia was taken at NASA Education’s spring Veterans’ Stand Down held at Camp Algonquin.


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