Mokena PD Increasing Patrols Around Schools After TX School Shooting

MOKENA, IL — The Mokena Police Department will increase its presence around Mokena schools following Tuesday's deadly school shooting in Texas, according to Mokena Police Interim Chief Brian Benton.

Benton said there is no direct threat to Mokena schools, but adding more police offers around the schools is meant to help people "feel safer" and to let the community know that Mokena PD "is cognizant of their concerns."

"When something like that senseless violence in Texas happens, people often get concerned over copy-cat issues," Benton said. "So, just out of an abundance of caution, we're going to have increased officers around the schools."

Mokena police officers hold regular active-shooter drills, Benton said. Some of those drills happen inside Mokena schools so officers can be better prepared should they ever need to put those drills into action.

"It's unfortunate that we have to do that, but all law enforcement have to do that nowadays just because instances keep reoccurring, unfortunately, " Benton said.

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 is not issuing a statement at this time, said D210 Director of Community Relations Jennifer Beshansky.

"Each Lincoln-Way campus has law enforcement present every day, and counselors are also available to students at any time," Beshansky told Patch via email.

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• Texas School Shooting: Gunman Killed 19 Kids, 2 Teachers In Same Class
• 'Horrific Act': GOP Candidates, Pritzker React To Texas Shooting
• Illinois Teachers Unions Respond To Texas School Shooting

This is all in response to the school shooting Tuesday in Uvalde, Texas, where a gunman killed at least 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School.

The gunman, identified by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, wore a tactical vest and used a rifle in the attack, according to multiple media reports. Ramos was also killed in the attack, according to reports.