By: Carmen Lopez

Question: What do you think of the proposed ordinance for Student Safety Zones in neighborhoods affected by school closings?

There is growing concern from communities affected by school closings regarding the safety of their students. City officials have proposed an ordinance that would create Student Safety Zones during designated hours of operation. Several Chicagoans spoke out about what they think of the proposed ordinance for Student Safety Zones in neighborhoods affected by school closings.

Jacqueline Martinez
“Longer commutes to different neighborhoods is a waste of time. Elementary schools tend to have a neighborhood element, and those kids being bussed to other neighborhoods wont have that upbringing. Even worse, they will resent their neighborhood.”

Jessica Sanchez
“I think it’s contradicting what they stated for closing down the schools. It’s going to be even more expensive having cops patrol. Even if they get volunteers it’s still going to be hard, they’ll probably do it for the first year and then they’ll get tired of it.”

Daisy Lopez
“Eventually they are going to be understaffed just like everything else in the city. They aren’t going to be able to protect to the fullest. The money they are going to spend on this could be used for better resources in the classroom.”

Brenda Calvillo
“This is another idea that CPS is coming up with. They are going to try to implement it the first year and it’s going to fall apart. Realistically the city can’t even keep up with the crime and having police in neighborhoods let alone having people monitor these areas.”