'Potential Threat' Cleared At Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School

OAK LAWN, IL — Administrators quickly cleared a potential threat that emerged Wednesday at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School.

Upon discovery, school officials immediately initiated Dist. 123’s threat assessment procedure along with the Oak Lawn Police Department. It was quickly determined that there was no imminent danger to OLHMS students, staff, or the community.

“Ensuring the safety of our students and staff in School District 123 is our top priority, and we are committed to taking every necessary step to maintain a secure and supportive school environment,” the district said in a written statement. “Although law enforcement has assured us this was an isolated, non-credible incident, we encourage our families to discuss the importance of ‘if you see something, say something’ with their children, as we will continue to share this message with our students in school. It also serves to remind us that ‘our words matter,’ and have consequences, regardless of context. All instances of making, sharing, or contributing to threatening conduct will be taken with the utmost seriousness.”

In a text to parents shared with Patch, the district stated it could not comment on specific details on what caused the threat assessment procedure to be activated, but “be assured that law enforcement involvement and appropriate school-based disciplinary action will be taken following a comprehensive investigation and evaluation of this recent matter.”

“I commend our OLHMS Principal, Dr. Sean McNichols, our School Resource Officer and the Oak Lawn Police Department for their swift and thorough response, as this demonstrated the effectiveness of our partnership with law enforcement and our overall School District 123 threat assessment process,” Supt. Paul Enderle said in a written statement.

Division Chief Patrick Curran, of the Oak Lawn Police Department, called what happened at the middle school was an “isolated incident.”

“This was … not related to any of the social media/AI, Will County incidents that are circulating,” Curran said in an email to Patch.