Lane Tech Parking and the Absence of Security

As most people in the Roscoe Village and North Center communities are aware, the Chicago Park District, along with a list of donors and sponsors, have begun the enhancements to Clark Park.

The new Clark Park Boathouses along the river and the new IHSA regulation Kerry Wood Cubs Field are two projects currently underway. In addition, to the north of the baseball field, future plans include new soccer and LaCrosse fields.

These additions, while providing home athletic facilities for Lane Tech, will also be available for public, Park District supported activities, and CPS sanctioned school activities. In the end businesses and the community will all benefit from these improvements.

There is, however, one issue that has been overlooked. It has been ignored by the one agency directly responsible, and they have continued to ignore the risk they have allowed to exist, even in light of the increase in traffic and usage they are encouraging...

The Chicago Public School System has ever negelected the security of the Lane Tech parking lot. As they are offering this parking lot for use by the community and its guests to help with the usage and traffic issues that will accompany the new facilities. They need to be held accountable for its security and the security of the staff and students who are constantly using the lot and the school.

They have, as they have for years, avoided adding any type of security to this lot. There are no lights and there are no cameras. That CPS has ignored the risk to students and staff of one of the truly great high schools in the Chicago system is an astounding almost unimaginable oversight. That CPS would, in turn, offer this level of risk to the community at large is beyond reason.

Students and staff have been dealing with the lack of security for years. Repeated attempts by school administrators have been deferred. Committments have been made for second hand equipment being removed from other schools as those schools have been upgraded... Not one piece of security equipment has found it's way to Lane either for external nor internal security. 

The new administration at Lane has made it clear that it intends to offer more community access to it's property by increasing the number of open and public events, last years Clay and Arts Festival being just one example.

Increased awareness and attendance at these events will ensure an active and vibrant relationship between the school and the businesses and the community as a whole—and everyone—has the right to feel secure while enjoying what the park and school have to offer. 

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