VIENNA (WSIL) —ÌýVienna Police Chief Jim Miller stepped away from his office at the department to patrol the high school in town.ÌýHis top priority is safety. He says although it’s been decades since he was a student in high schoolÌýthings have really changed.Ìý
Chief Miller says, "Back in the day, you would always have your tornado drill your fire drill."Ìý
But active shooter drills are now the norm. Chief Miller tells News 3 it’s unfortunate how many school shootings have occurred and dozens of innocent lives have been taken.
In IllinoisÌýlawmakers passed a bill requiring all school staff and students to participate in an active shooter drill within the first 90 days of the school year.
Chief Miller explains, "We go through the school. The principle/superintendent gives us a tour of the facility. Make sure we know every crawl space there is in the building in case if something bad would happen."
Principle John Giffin saysÌýstudents and staff have to work together year round.Ìý
He says, "365 days of the year we have students in the building and we have them with couches counselors with teachers."
Chief Miller says he just wants parents to have peace of mind that children are safe at schoolÌý
"You just got to prepare," he adds.Ìý
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