What do you think security at schools should look like?

And if you are against having armed guards could you explain why? Having this discussion with DH and am curious on other peoples opinions.

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

I think there needs to be a "waiting" room, be it bullet proof glass, or just another cinderblock wall with doors that you cannot enter without being confirmed and buzzed through. You can enter into the holding area where there is a window to the office. From there, if you are going to a classroom, they call down first and confirm OR if you are picking up a child, they come to you. If you are dropping something off, you leave it. That would be ideal for me. I think the current, let you in first, ask questions second is obviously flawed.

What do you think security at schools should look like?

I am a teacher and I do NOT want armed guards.

I do not want to have to walk past an armed person each and every day upon entering my job. I do not think it would be good for the mental well being of students either.

I do not have answers as to a perfect security system, nor does anybody else IMO, but I do know that we need to change something.

I just dont think that putting a gun in a school is a good idea at all for many many reasons!

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

Metal detectors in schools...armed guards in schools, bullet proof glass in schools???? Bars? Chains on the doors?

My heart breaks for every little innocent life ended by a mentally unstable person however putting children in jail while they learn is not the solution.

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

I think video cameras are good, someone at the door to take names and times visiting, a buzzer system to let people in, stickers to identify visitors (or some identification system), people roaming the halls, locking exits during the day.

There is no perfect solution. People who want to get into a building will do so no matter what measures you take.

But guns and children do not mix. Guns do not belong in schools!

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

Such a tough question. I do not know! Part of me says, where does it end then? Any crazy could shoot up any place, a park, a mall, a movie theater, etc, so where does it end? My gut says no armed guard. A secure entry, for sure? But armed guard, I dont think so.

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

I see 2 sides to this so it's difficult. On one hand I don't want children near guns. As far as teachers carrying I don't think it should be a requirement bc thats not what they signed up for and the last person I want protecting my child is someone who has not been tactically trained to operate their gun and is afraid to do so.

But on the other I don't want anything like this to happen again. I feel that no matter where we go from here with the gun issue...there will always be people (the people with evil intentions to be exact) who will find a way to obtain their guns and use them regardless because they operate above the law and below the radar. And even with addressing the mental health issue which I think is the REAL underlying issue...it could take a LONG time before we see results. So we definitely need to focus on SOMETHING besides just gun regulation. Something that can protect from those who already have or may still obtain illegal guns even with new regulation (because it WILL happen) ETA: (I WOULD like to see a government gun buyback program to address the issue of getting illegal guns off the street)

Just the title "gun free zone" I feel translates to "sitting duck zone". People crazy enough to kill people may see that as an easy target where they can do the most damage without being killed. I don't mind the idea of an armed guard but the more i think about it and read other opinions it is possible that an armed guard (unless plain clothed and concealed carry) might be a walking target as well. If we took that title of "gun free zone" off and left it more as a question mark...like "I may or may not have the ability to shoot your azz if you mess with me and my kids" maybe, just maybe it might serve as a deterrent.

It's a HUGE MAYBE...no guarantees to any of this. just the thoughts that have been running through my head.

Message edited 12/22/2012 11:11:00 PM.

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

I do not think armed security in schools is the answer. I don't know what the answer is, but if we are going to start having armed officers in schools, we might as well put them in parks, in malls, in movie theaters, etc. These violet acts will not stop at schools. The faster we move as a nation to get our grip on gun control (meaning selling assault riffles, etc.) the more chance we have in fighting against these mass killings. Not to mention, who's to say where an attack can occur? With an armed guard, there is a very good chance that an attack could happen on a different side of a building then where they are stationed and anyone deranged person shooting up school will most likely have no fear of being killed since they usually kill themselves in the end.

Our children deserve the right to be able to walk into their school and not look feel like they are walking into a jail. Of course, I want absolute safety for children...but I just can't fathom living in a world where ours kids have to be surrounded with guns

Message edited 12/22/2012 11:05:55 PM.

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

I worked in a HS in a very rough area of NYC and there were two NYC police officers assigned at all times. It was necessary, to give you an idea in the three years I worked there I lost 7 students to gang related violence/shootings.

Where I work now is totally different, safe area, little to no violence etc. IMO it really would not be necessary to have cops, well except if some fuckinng lunatic off the street decided to pick our school to shoot up...

In my perfect world we would be working on regulating guns, making stricter laws for obtaining guns, outlawing these insane automatic weapons that can shoot more than one bullet.

How are we affording cops in every school in NYC when we can barely afford the teachers who are already there?

I don't know...the whole thing is crazy....

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

It looks like this suburban IL school.

The answer is not armed guards or teachers. The answer is a combination of awareness, technology, and MONEY. This district is doing it right. (Apologies for the brief commercial but the segment is more than worth it).

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

Signing in at the front desk, an un-armed security guard, knowing which doors are locked and not. Our school's door is not locked. There is a NYC safety officer, but when she is not there they just put anyone at the desk. There have been times when no one is there and anyone can walk right in. I would like the school to change this but they have no money!

This shooter was a complete nut and he KNEW exactly what he was doing, it was planned, right down to damaging his computers. I personally do not think an armed guard would stop a crazy person like him, he was intelligent and someone like him would get around an armed guard. If there was an armed guard, he may have chosen another way to take as many young lives as possible (llike someone said, a mall, movie theatre, amusement park, etc).

Honestly don't think NYC can afford anything different than it does. And, those schools that are like jails are the ones that need them because of proven crime. If I HAD to live in one of those neighborhoods, I guess I would accept it. But, my liberal opinion is less military and bombs and more books are needed in this country. I feel the same about not paying for an armed security and making sure the rest of the education system gets the money it deserves for our kids.

What do you think security at schools should look like?

I do think armed security guards are an option. Cameras and metal detectors won't stop a gun wielding psycho from barging into a school, opening fire and then offing himself...

What do you think security at schools should look like?

Collette's link above would be ideal to me!

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

I'm going to get flamed, but I think their should be a cop in every school, who is armed, but also does programming, DARE, etc. When I was in school, we had a school cop who carried a gun, but was also the DARE officer and did some other things in the school.

I think it would be helpful to me to have a police officer there, because we sometimes have to EMS kids and it would be helpful to have another opinion on what to do in certain crises, in addition to having someone there in case of an emergency.

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

Currently our Kindergarten (separate school from Elementary) has video camera, buzzer system and once buzzed you need to scan your license at a kiosk to get signed in and it prints a label with your picture on it.

The Elementary you can just walk into which looking back shocks me. No buzzer system or sign in desk at the school my son attends.

Starting January they are putting a uniformed officer at every school in the district. They already have a tactics force that trains a few times a year for these specific scenarios. They started that program with the police force after columbine. I am happy with this and do not mind there being officers at the school.

After the tragedy last week they did have an officer there an I asked DS about it and he really needed to think if he saw him. He didn't seem nervous about it.

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

I am not sure if this is doable but I would have two security checkpoints. I would want a security gate to get onto school property. You can have a guard there checking i.d.'s and also each parent and bus can have a security sticker that would allow them to access without checking in at the guard each time they go to school.
Once you get to the school itself, I would like to see another checkpoint. You may enter the school, but you are in a room that has a security door to the school. You will get checked in at the office, who is behind bulletproof glass, before allowed to enter.

I also do like the idea of a staff officer who is also the DARE instructor.

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

i am a teacher. i think for normal procedure.. people should have to call ahead before coming and bring photo id to be buzzed in, with a valid reason. (dropping off something for their child, etc)

other than that, there is no real way to protect any of us, wherever we work, from a crazed person attacking us. if someone is set on doing damage like that, they are going to find a way.

stricter gun laws and mental health care are the only way.

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

Locked doors and required sign in is a good way to protect against kidnapping and parents interrupting the school day. But none of that would do anything to prevent, or quickly put an end to a shooter.

Message edited 12/23/2012 11:55:26 AM.

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

No matter what is done, it won't stop a lunatic that has intent to take a lot of lives. Where there is a will, there is a way. One armed guard vs. a guy with 2 machine guns, and I bet the machine gun guy wins. Sad, but true.

What do you think security at schools should look like?

I like what I saw in the video..no way NYC is spending that money...which is sad..even the administrators in the video said it's not everything proof but it does buy you time..time to get the kids out..time to get them to a safer place..time for the authorities to arrive..I don't think it's a terrible idea...

Re: What do you think security at schools should look like?

Malls have more secuirty than our schools.

I think one patrol person is reasonable, Whether it be NYPD or there are thousands of retired cops that would be an excellent fit for a security position.

I think video cameras should be mandatory, for many reasons, not just crazed psychos with oozies.

Buzzer system and waiting area.