Police Chase Ends at Blaine Elementary on Southport

A police chase ended in front of James G. Blaine Elementary Wednesday morning, causing school officials to usher students inside the building and suspend their annual end-of-year event.

School principal Troy LaRaviere sent a letter to parents Wednesday following the event. In it detailed the chase, outlining what the elementary school did to ensure safety during the police activity.

“At approximately 11:20am there was a police chase that ended on Southport in front of our school,” LaRaviere wrote. “There were no gunshots and the suspects had no weapons. We suspended Field Days, got all students inside the building, and ensured all external doors were locked.”

LaRaviere continued in his letter saying faculty followed Chicago Public Schools procedures by sitting with students inside a locked classroom. The school remained in contact with the Chicago Police Department while the situation unfolded and returned to normal activities around 11:45 a.m.

Several of the students witnessed the chase and incident with police, the principal noted. He says Blaine’s administration and crisis team has been talking with those students, as well as those who were emotionally affected by the incident.

“The safety and security of your children is not taken lightly and we want to keep you and the community informed of any issues when they occur,” LaRaviere concluded. “Please feel free to contact the school if you have any questions or concerns.”