SECURE building protocol activated during first day of finals

Students completed finals while police investigated a reported threat near the school.

By Ruby Guerrero, News Editor • May 19, 2026

Approximately half hour after the school was put into a SECURE system, West Chicago Police brought in the K-9 unit to search around the building including entrance 22.

West Chicago Community High School was placed into a SECURE building protocol on May 19 at approximately 11:40 a.m. during the first day of final exams as the West Chicago Police Department investigated a potential threat involving the school.

During a SECURE protocol, classes and school activities continue as normal inside the building, but no one is permitted to enter or exit the school while law enforcement investigates the situation.

The first update to families was sent at 11:49 a.m. by Communications & Community Relations Coordinator Roy Ramos, informing families that the building had entered SECURE status and that all students and staff members were safe.

Shortly afterward, Executive Director of Operations and Safety Dave Pater addressed the school over the intercom to explain the protocol and provide additional instructions to students and staff.

According to Pater, the SECURE protocol was implemented because the reported threat originated outside the building, meaning the priority was preventing anyone from entering or leaving campus while police investigated.

“We had a threat made to the building from outside coming in, so we were able to secure the doors, obviously notify the police response and emergency response to get many people on site that can help as humanly possible,” Pater said.

At approximately 12:24 p.m., a second update to families reiterated that the school remained in SECURE status while administrators continued working with the West Chicago Police Department.

Police officers, including a K-9 unit, were seen around the building during the investigation, including near Entrance 22.

In a post on X,

the West Chicago Police Department stated that officers had responded to “an incident in the area of West Chicago Community High School” and asked community members to avoid the area while police assessed the situation.

“I think they are doing a great job, and no, I’m not scared,” AP and honors biology teacher Brianne Ferreiro said.

A third update sent at approximately 12:40 p.m. informed families that student dismissal would be delayed until police determined it was safe for students to leave the building.

Some students initially believed the situation may have been related to a senior prank because of the timing near the end of the school year.

“I thought it was a senior prank, but then they brought the dogs out, so I’m not sure,” junior Jacky Gonzalez said.

Pater said school officials, administrators, and police remained in communication throughout the incident to coordinate both the investigation and the school’s response.

“We communicate the whole time as far as what’s happening on the outside,” Pater said. “That just makes the communication awesome, that makes the tensions dissipate a little bit, and that increases our safety.”

According to Pater, repeated safety drills and staff training also helped students and teachers respond calmly during the incident.

“When things happen like this, and it is serious, we flip a switch, and we’re already on that muscle memory,” Pater said. “We already know what to do.”

Pater also noted that similar threats have recently affected other schools in DuPage County and said the FBI became involved in tracing the number connected to the call.

“It’s happened in DuPage County,” Pater said. “A lot of surrounding schools have gotten it.”

The SECURE status was later lifted around 1:36 p.m., and students were dismissed through Entrances 1, 16, and 25 with police presence remaining outside the building so “the perimeter remains secure,” according to a school announcement.

Revision

May 24, 2026

This story was updated to include additional information and comments from Executive Director of Operations and Safety Dave Pater regarding the school’s response protocols and coordination with law enforcement.

About the Contributor

Ruby Guerrero, News Editor

Ruby Guerrero Lopez is a junior at West Chicago Community High School and no stranger to journalism. Over her high school years, she’s had absolutely no idea what she wants to do after school. Right now, it’s to be a family attorney, but who knows, it could change by tomorrow. A piece she’s most proud of is her “More than grades” in-depth article. In her free time, she likes to say that she studies and works, which is mostly true, although sometimes you’ll catch her watching movies or TV shows over working any day. If you get her talking about Marvel or Harry Potter, you’ll probably never hear the end of it.

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