Naperville Police To 'Maintain A Reasonable Presence' If Student Walkouts Take Place

NAPERVILLE, IL — Naperville police say they are "committed to maintaining the peace in Naperville and to protecting citizens’ rights to gather and protest" as students are "potentially planning" to participate in demonstrations and walkouts on Friday, Feb. 13, NPD shared in a social media post.

According to the post, police will "maintain a reasonable presence" with the goal of ensuring safety. They also urged potential participants to avoid engaging in illegal behavior, advising them to "follow lawful commands" from police officers and stay out of the road.

Additionally, police encouraged parents to talk to students to learn what their plans are for the day and to advise them about laws surrounding "peaceful protests." They further encouraged parents to inform their children about the potential disciplinary consequences of taking part in a school walkout and the legal consequences of engaging in any criminal activity.