The Department of Justice said that within the next month that would work with the FBI to get meeting set up with them and local law enforcement to address the “trend of violence” at school board meetings.
“We do have a great relationship with both of the school districts, and we have not been informed of any violence at any of the school board meetings or violence that has been concern, by either party. It should not have an effect here, because we do not have a problem here. Which is great for the community,” said Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington.
However on Oct. 8 the District 87 school board president told Cities they sent a letter to the Bloomington police that stated a community member was violent. That community member Shane McCurdy addressed in letter received this letter as well and was told he could no longer be on any District 87 property. The district did tell him in the letter he could request a hearing, which he has.
A Tik Tok made to describe the nature of the letter and Shane McCurdy
As of Friday, Oct.8, the FBI had not reached out to the Bloomington Police Department.
“Certainly we considered the FBI a partner, but we have not seen any calls or requests for any participation at this moment,” said Simington. “We have not received any guidance either. At this moment, I’m sure this is fresh. We’ll have to give it some time.Within 30 days they’ve reported that they would reach out. At that point in time we will sit down and make an assessment and gauge what the concerns are. We’re always ready to collaborate, not only with our local partners, but certainly with our federal partners as well.”
At this point, if they are labeling the parents “domestic terrorists” are they a partner?
“That’s not my gauge on their position on this, I’m not the federal government,” said Simington. “Certainly there are other jurisdictions that may not have the resources that the Bloomington Police Department and some of the medium, major, officers and agencies can in the state. So I can’t speak for the federal government.”
Simington said from a federal perspective certainly they can bring some of the most up-to-date information and data that they are experiencing at a nation-wide perspective.
“The FBI is good and up-front where they can provide some of the best practices towards some of the trends they are experiencing or have witnessed through collaboration with other partners throughout the nation,” said Simington. “If they can bring some of those best practices to the forefront and share those, certainly we would be receptive to that. I am certainly confident in the men and women in this agency that we can collaborate with the school districts to prevent issues and be on the forefront.”
Simington said, in regards to parental concern about attending board meetings, that every parent and citizen and community has a right to participate in the process of governing and government public bodies.
“Certainly that process is afforded to everyone and I would not fear having fear to participate in that process. They have a right to do that. I don’t foresee the FBI being an issue in that matter,” said Simington.
