Catasauqua Area School District parents have recently expressed concern that a parent protesting near Catasauqua schools could potentially be dangerous.

The 40-year-old Lehigh Valley resident has been protesting outside of Sheckler Elementary School and Catasauqua Middle School and in other areas in Catasauqua. The man's three children are students in the school district.

Catasauqua Police Chief Douglas Kish told The Press Tuesday afternoon the man appears at Sheckler and CMS before the start of the school day and reappears in the afternoon after the children are dismissed. Kish said the police department has been doing its part to ensure the safety of the community.

"We're there every morning and afternoon," he said. "We're there to make the parents and children feel safe."

Kish said Catasauqua police officers also direct students to the opposite side of the street to avoid confrontation with the man, who conducts his protest across the street from the school properties.

According to Kish, the man is within his legal rights to protest, but a protection-from-abuse order prohibits him from entering school property where his children are students.

"As long as he's not impeding traffic, we really don't have much choice in the matter," Kish said.

The school district, Kish said, has been very supportive.

District Superintendent Robert Spengler addressed the matter at Tuesday evening's school board meeting. He said the district administration, staff and police department have worked together to ensure the safety of the students.

"I would like to thank everyone – our police force that has been a presence in supporting us, our teachers that jumped right in by alleviating the fears of parents and our administration by providing leadership in spite of being called names," Spengler said. "This community loves our kids; don't mess with them."

Kish suggested parents keep their distance from the protester.

According to legal documents reviewed at the Lehigh County Courthouse, the man has a history that includes a domestic dispute, terroristic threats and resisting arrest.

"We just need the parents to stay away from him and not confront him," Kish said.

The Catasauqua Police Department K9 unit has been conducting foot patrols at the two schools, and the police department continues to provide a presence.