Posted: 12/17/2012 2:24:37 AM EDT
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In reading through several topics on the Connecticut shootings, I see a recurring theme that many of you have schools that are locked down. Hard to get into. Secured...etc.
Anybody can walk into any school here, from any direction. I can walk to my kids classrooms, and tap on the window to say HI  I can walk into the school from any direction, from any entrance..go to any class... I wouldn't do that, but I could. AT any school here. Elementary, Middle, or High School. The staff might frown upon that, but there is nothing in place that precludes my ability to go and do whatever on the grounds. There are no fences, no gates....I always check in with the office when I volunteer...because I'm supposed to do that..But I really don't have to...
What is school security like where you live, and should I be concerned? |
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Same as you described here. Many vantage points to enter the school. New schools should be designed with more security while not making it look like a correctional institution.
ETA: There should always be concern no matter the situation. Active shooters are not the only threat to schools. Child molesters are another concern at the primary level children, but gangs, drugs, and sexual assault are concerns at the intermediate and high-school levels depending on your demographic. |
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You can easily walk into one the schools in my area. Since the early 90's we have had a deputy stationed at each school.
When I was in school I was a member of the shooting team. It wasn't uncommon to see us team members walking accross the parking lot and into the school hallways w/ our guns. We would take them to our coaches office in the morning to be used during practice. A year or two before I was on the team they would practice on school grounds. I remember being at baseball practice and they would be just past the outfield shooting. Times have changed. 
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Security here is better than most. But no, if someone wanted to get in and do harm, there is nothing in place that could stop them. The best security is to teach your kids how to handle a bad situation. Even then, all I can do is relentlessly worry....
4XDawn... (sigh) |
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Access controlled via a single point of entry - the front office. All other doors are designed for egress only. Someone would have to break protocol and allow a person access from the inside. The doors are substantial steel with a single small vertical window. Playgrounds are behind locked gates. Attendants at the curb to load and unload kids. There is very, very little crime here however a couple of weeks ago we had an attempted abduction near the elementary school on one of the side streets. It happens. |
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security in a school is a joke, But that’s not the total problem most educators think that by locking there classroom doors they magically are able to prevent anyone from entering their classroom, even though time and time again they are shown wrong.
My mother is a great example (retired teacher) even though I personally showed her that anyone could yank on the locked door in her school and open them, she still believes the schools safe and secure. It’s always the same old thing expecting people to obey a sign or a law, that doesn’t work except to law abiding citizens, unless people pull their heads out of the sand gun free zones will always be a target rich environment |
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I do work related to physical security for our area schools and its common now to see badge systems and controlled access points however in most cases where a side door is locked another is open from maintenance staff or whatever else. It's just the small town mentality that it likely wouldn't happen here so nobody consistently follows through with procedure although it is slowly getting better
Even so the front door is always open and passing a secretary will not deter much. Some are starting to have officers during select parts of the day which is nice to see. |
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It's a mixed bag. The thing is most teachers don't take security serously. They block open doors, don't make sure they are closed and secure. No one does a last out check at the end of the day. We find open doors all the time. As compared to the business world where we have a close down procedure that includes securing all doors at the close of the day.
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In an effort to stop the deluge of new threads I'll post here instead of starting a new thread but I'd appreciate ya'll's thoughts.
Why do most people (especially what I see on the news) act reactively rather than preemptively?? The big topic for discussion is school security and mental health reform. But it was virtually a non-issue before Friday. Similarly, look back on 9/11. Armed Air Marshalls and barricaded cockpit doors were never brought up correct? The time for change in security, policy, etc is BEFORE a tragedy or major catastrophic event, not after. |
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Quoted:
In an effort to stop the deluge of new threads I'll post here instead of starting a new thread but I'd appreciate ya'll's thoughts. Why do most people (especially what I see on the news) act reactively rather than preemptively?? The big topic for discussion is school security and mental health reform. But it was virtually a non-issue before Friday. Similarly, look back on 9/11. Armed Air Marshalls and barricaded cockpit doors were never brought up correct? The time for change in security, policy, etc is BEFORE a tragedy or major catastrophic event, not after. Because in the fight for scarce dollars, its tough to get funded for hypotheticals that *might* happen |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
In an effort to stop the deluge of new threads I'll post here instead of starting a new thread but I'd appreciate ya'll's thoughts. Why do most people (especially what I see on the news) act reactively rather than preemptively?? The big topic for discussion is school security and mental health reform. But it was virtually a non-issue before Friday. Similarly, look back on 9/11. Armed Air Marshalls and barricaded cockpit doors were never brought up correct? The time for change in security, policy, etc is BEFORE a tragedy or major catastrophic event, not after. Because in the fight for scarce dollars, its tough to get funded for hypotheticals that *might* happen I can understand that to an extent. But on the flip side, allowing people who already are licensed to carry, actually carry on the job wouldn't cost much (like teachers, administrators, pilots, etc). I see what you're saying, but it still bothers me that hot topics are always a "cause" for people after rather than before. |