Oak Park and River Forest High School (OPRF) has taken the unconventional step of removing the exterior doors to most of its school bathrooms, in a move that's currently stirring debate online. As reported by WGN-TV, this decision was implemented after a slew of complaints about inappropriate student activities in the bathrooms, such as vaping, skipping class, and fighting. The decision aligns with what the school describes as a crime prevention strategy emphasizing architectural design.
According to ABC7Chicago, the school spokesperson compared the new bathroom design to those seen in airports, emphasizing that none of the stall doors were removed, ensuring individual privacy. The rationale behind this architectural intervention, abbreviated as CPTED or crime prevention through environmental design, is to create spaces that naturally curb undesirable behaviors. Despite the practical explanations, not all members of OPRF's community have embraced the change.
An online petition campaigning for the reinstallation of the bathroom doors has been initiated by OPRF junior Laila Rosenthal. This petition has gathered nearly 400 signatures to date and is gaining traction. In a statement obtained by WGN-TV, Rosenthal articulated that the absence of doors presents not just an issue of privacy but also a concern for student safety during emergency situations such as school shootings. Rosenthal argues, "with school shootings and stuff, if a student is just roaming in the hallway, they can't go back to their classroom. The door is locked. They go to the bathrooms to try to find safety and there's no doors, like I just feel like it's just so dangerous."
On the flip side, some initial results seem positive from the school's perspective. OPRF's director of campus safety reported to WGN-TV a noticeable decrease in the number of complaints and less crowding in these newly doorless bathrooms since the start of the academic year. This feedback paints a picture of an initiative that could be making a difference in student behavior. Rosenthal plans to take the petition, once it hits 500 signatures, to the school council and the dean to advocate for a reassessment of the measure. Whether this action results in a policy reversal remains to be seen.
