Students, families and drivers at Richards High School are experiencing smoother traffic flow during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal with the addition of a second school resource officer focused on safety around the campus.
Officer Mike Conroy, a 26-year veteran of the Oak Lawn Police Department, began his new role Jan. 20, joining Officer Brian Black to help manage some of the busiest moments of the school day. The expanded presence follows a December vote by the Community High School District 218 Board of Education approving a new agreement with the Village of Oak Lawn to enhance school resource officer services.
School leaders say the additional officer reflects an ongoing commitment to student safety during daily arrival and dismissal.
“Safe passage to school for our students is a priority,” Richards Principal Dr. MaLinda Majoch said. “We are grateful to have this agreement with the Village of Oak Lawn. The addition of another school resource officer benefits our entire school community.”
Richards High School has had a school resource officer since 1991, but district officials say increased traffic and evolving campus needs prompted a closer look at coverage during peak times. The school sits near the intersection of Central Avenue and 107th Street, where traffic can be heavy during the morning commute.
School board members discussed the area during a May 15, 2025, meeting, noting the challenges students face as they cross the street while cars line up at the intersection. Board President Carol Kats said she sees the congestion daily on her drive to work.
“There’s only one light for students to cross, and they just dash across the street,” Kats said. “It’s very hectic in the morning because there are other schools arriving.”
District officials said adding a second officer allows better coordination and visibility during arrival and dismissal, easing the strain on a single officer to manage traffic, crosswalks and student movement.
Both officers are employed by the Oak Lawn Police Department but provide safety-related services at Richards High School when classes are in session and during scheduled special events. Services are not required on days when school is not in session, including holidays and school breaks.
The agreement took effect Jan. 1 and is funded through the district’s Operations and Maintenance Fund and Tort Fund. It will automatically renew for the 2026–27 school year unless either the district or the Village of Oak Lawn provides written notice of intent to terminate.
Kats said the addition represents a meaningful step toward addressing long-standing concerns.
“We’ve been really concerned about that situation for as long as I’ve been on the board,” she said. “I think adding a second officer is a great thing.”
As students continue to arrive and depart each day, school officials say the added presence is helping ensure a safer, more orderly start and end to the school day.