Willowbrook School Resource Officer (SRO) serves lunches to help strengthen relationships with students and staff

On Oct. 6, Willowbrook School Resource Officer (SRO) Ernesto “Ernie” Perez (pictured above) temporarily took on a new role, as he stepped behind the kitchen counter in the cafeteria to help serve lunches to students.

Perez has been Willowbrook’s SRO since 2023 and a Detective with the Villa Park Police Department since 2017. He said he serves in those positions to be a role model for youths and guide them on a positive life path to pursue their goals.

As part of that focus, he strives to get to know students and staff through various formats, venues and capacities. So, when the opportunity to put on a hairnet and grab a serving spoon came up, he jumped at the chance to experience interacting with the school in a different setting.

“I want to continue to build and improve the relationship and communication between the police department, students and families,” Perez said. “My goal is to bridge that gap and show the police department wants to be part of the community.”

Read more about Perez at https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/15691.