Gibault community meeting set for Thursday

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Home owners near Gibault Campus announced they'll hold a community meeting. The decision came after an up-tick in teens taking off from the facility.

Vigo County school officials, Vigo County Sheriff Greg Ewing and neighborhood representatives met June 21st, to discuss their concerns.

The meeting was held after a female teen walked away from the facility into a nearby neighborhood called Richland manor.

The teen was later arrested.

But several community members felt it was best to bring their ideas to Gibault staffers in hopes of solving what they considered to be a reoccurring problem.

Kaleel Ellis, President of Richland Manor’s Homeowners Association says, "One, we would like to have 24/7 security implemented on the Gibault campus. Two, we would like to have a perimeter system installed that would be a deterrent to any walk-always.”

Ellis says the Sheriff Ewing brought the idea of using a Reverse 911 system. It’s a calling system that will notify neighbors of a walk-off with-in minutes of a teen leaving the campus.

Another possible change for Gibault could be allowing guns on campus.

Currently guns are not allowed on the campus due to licensing restrictions.

If Gibault changes the restrictions, the campus can hire off-duty police officers to patrol the campus, helping to add more security.

The community meeting with officials will be held Thursday June 28th at 10:00 a.m. at the Vigo County School Corporation building located on Wabash Avenue.