Addison Trail welcomes new community liaison police officer

When walking through the halls of Addison Trail recently, you might have noticed a new face greeting you at the school – but it’s a familiar face to the community.

Detective Cristobol (Cris) Soto is the new community liaison police officer for the school, and he began his new role on May 30. Soto succeeds Tony Reda, who has been promoted to the position of sergeant with the Addison Police Department. Soto might be new to Addison Trail, but he has been a part of Addison for more than six years as a patrolman and a detective with the Addison Police Department. Soto said he wanted to fill the role of community liaison police officer at Addison Trail to have a positive impact on the school.

“As a patrolman, I’ve dealt with the same issues for several years,” he said. “Working at a school is an opportunity to make a difference in students’ lives. High school in particular is a critical age to help teens make the right decisions and remain on the right path.”

Soto said his biggest challenge will be getting the students to trust him and see him as more than “a badge.”

“A lot of students associate police officers with a negative perception, and I want to break that barrier,” Soto said. “I want them to understand we’re here to help them and to make the community a better place for everyone.”

Soto said one of his goals is to continue reaching out to parents/guardians, including the Latino community, to develop relationships with them.

Addison Trail Principal Adam Cibulka said the school is thrilled to partner with Soto, and he knows Soto will continue the excellent work Reda established.

“Our No. 1 priority is the safety and security of our students and staff, and the community liaison police officer position is one more way for us to ensure the well-being of everyone in our building,” Cibulka said. “We look forward to working with Detective Soto and continuing a tremendous partnership with the Addison Police Department."

Soto said he looks forward to the 2014-15 school year.

“My focus with this position is to be able to make a difference in at least one student’s life,” Soto said. “If they come back a few years from now and thank me for getting them back on track, it will make all the work worth it.”

To contact Soto, call 630-543-3080, ext. 7935, or e-mail csoto@addison-il.org.