Northside Property Boundaries
Many have noticed the new fencing that borders part of Northside College Prep’s backyard. The several hundred-foot fence was put up in February at the boundary line between Northside’s property and Chicago Park District property.
Signs on this fence say “Park Improvements Starting February 22, 2024;” however, no major changes to the area have been observed since then.
Groups of unhoused individuals have been inhabiting the fenced area or the space around it for the past few years, but this year, the situation has gotten more noticeable.
Further, multiple fires have started in the encampment, and the fire department has been called to the area numerous times.
Some students felt something should change when asked their opinions on the issue. Henry Fisher (Adv. 504) stated, “Given there’s fires, maybe something should be done.” However, the general student sentiment seems to be that the school environment remains safe. He went on to state, “I don’t really see it as a serious threat of my student safety. No, [the unhoused] people usually don’t come too close to the school.”
School Play Disruption
On November 5, at a showing of the school’s Fall Play, Curious Incidents of the Dog in the Nighttime, a fire broke out in the proximity of the unhoused encampment. The fire caused delays in the performance.
Liz Worley (Adv. 608) an active member of stage crew, said that she was in the spotlight booth when the fire broke out. “I was up there and could tell something was wrong [because] it started smelling like smoke…We had an extra long intermission because we were trying to figure out what was going on.”
Worley added, “In the auditorium, you could smell the burning. It was a lot worse backstage because that is where the big vent is.”
Safety Partnerships
Dr. Stuber explained that the situation was under control. The property is owned by the Chicago Park District and the Water Reclamation District. Northside’s property only extends to the tree line by the river, Dr. Stuber added.
The fires in the area have generated discourse about student safety. “Running a school, you don’t really know what could become a safety concern, so you’re always on the lookout for that. It’s close enough for us to have to have a plan around it and security and admin are aware of it.”
Dr. Stuber stressed the importance of the 39th Ward Alderman Samantha Nugent’s partnership in handling the situation. “We have a good partnership with the alderman’s office and whenever we have a concern there is a community discussion about it too. I think the way that everyone has been able to collaborate is really a benefit.”
Dr. Stuber said the issue is unlikely to be resolved soon. “Unhoused neighbors are migratory; everything moves. The encampment is shifting. Sometimes, it’s really close to the school, and other times, it’s not. It will probably be something that we will always be looking out for.”
Northside’s faculty and community prioritize safety and will continue to do so as this school year ends.
