For freshmen it was a big change to suddenly see security guards in school. An interview with a security guard was a way to feel more acquainted with this part of the Hinsdale South community. 

(The questions asked by Phuong Vu will be formatted like this. Answers by our security guard, Mr. Tom Kostka, will be written like this)

How do you stay informed about current trends in school security?

Our boss typically sends stuff in a newsletter and we kind of get articles from all around the country.

How do you handle situations when students are reluctant to communicate with you?

My job is to provide an environment where kids feel comfortable talking to me. If I have relationships with kids then if something concerns them I hope they’ll automatically feel comfortable approaching me. That’s how we all are, we try to be.

What do you wish students would do to better ensure their own safety?

Wear their lanyards and never ever prop doors or allow strangers into school without having an adult there with them.

Can you give a specific example of why lanyards?

Oftentimes after school, kids are leaving for the day and then coming back for athletics. Sometimes kids will walk in without their lanyards and I will have to approach the student and ask do you go to this school? And they’ll be like yeah of course I go to this school, but well where’s your lanyard? There are still hundreds of kids in this school. It’s quite concerning for me when this kid is presumably a stranger.

Is there any event that changed your perspective on school safety?

I would say just about every event, because so many people come here. We hold large events—there are families, lots of kids, and lots of kids from other schools. And so it’s not just the student body that we have to protect, but everybody else and we don’t actually know everybody who is coming to the event.