Frank Elementary School in Kenosha is seeking additional police patrols because of a series of fights outside the building.
Kenosha Police were called to the area around the school eight times this week for a series of incidents, including one fight that may have included dozens of people.
In a series of police reports, officers said they were called for a report of a large fight at school dismissal time at about 3:20 p.m. People reported fighting on the south side of the school, with “reports of bricks and wood being thrown.”
Although people at the scene — with the exception of school employees — shared little information with police, a security video from a nearby convenience store showed “a large altercation.”
One report described a gathering of “about 100 people” in the area of 57th Street and 18th Avenue.
Tanya Ruder, spokeswoman for Kenosha Unified School District, said the fight did not directly involve the school — which had let students out about five to 10 minutes earlier — but staff gathered any children who were still on school property inside. School staff reported about 30 people being involved in the altercation.
Ruder said there was additional security at the school, and that will continue for some weeks.
A father of two Frank students said the only way to protect school children “in this neighborhood” is to walk them to and from school.
“You know that coming into this area: If you want to make sure your kids are safe, you have to walk with them,” he said. “I stay with my kids wherever they go.”
