Threatening Message In Palos South Restroom Has Parents On Edge

PALOS PARK, IL -- Additional police will be on duty around Dist. 118 schools after a threatening message was found written on a boy’s restroom wall. Dist. 118 Supt.Dr. Anthony M. Scarsella said in a letter to parents that a student reported finding the threat on Thursday in the boy’s restroom at Palos South Middle School. Cook County Sheriff’s Police are investigating.

“Based upon the threat, local law enforcement were immediately contacted,” Scarsella wrote. “Working with school officials, an investigation was launched … We take all threats extremely seriously.”

According to a police source, the threat mentioned hurting students in the school. To allay parents’ concerns, Scarsella said police will be at Palos South Middle School on Friday, checking backpacks before kids are allowed into the building. Additional administrators will also be assigned to the school. Parents who wish to keep their children home on Friday will get an excused absence.

Scarsella hoped to see the investigation concluded as soon as possible. More information to the community, when it becomes available, is forthcoming. District officials are working with Cook County investigators.

“Please take a moment to talk with your child about the seriousness of making any comment or remark that can be interpreted as being threatening in nature,” The Dist. 118 superintendent said. In these challenging times, students can face serious consequences from both school officials and local law enforcement regardless of their intent.”