School works to prepare for new security technology

After a football game last fall, a family returned to its car only to find that the front window had been smashed and one of their bags had been stolen.

Crimes like this have led the administration to install security cameras in the front part of the school. The installation is planned to happen in the early part of second semester, and if everything goes according to schedule, the cameras should be working by February break.

Money for the project comes from the Measure E construction bond.

“We have discussed [the security cameras] on and off for the past two years,” principal Paul Robinson said. “It wasn’t until this fall that we pushed the idea to the forefront and met with contractors about it.”

Although incidents of vandalism have been few, Robinson said the school wants to ensure that campus is as safe as possible for students, parents and staff.

The school is considering placing the cameras near the McAfee Center, the cafeteria and the Sports Plaza. However, Robinson said that more cameras will be added in more spots later as the school continues to work with the system and “modernize more buildings throughout the campus.”

At present, the only security cameras on campus are the few cameras installed outside the McAfee Center 10 years ago, as well as the cameras mounted outside the cafeteria looking back at the parking lot.

“The system is somewhat obsolete now,” Robinson said. “The system we’re looking at has much better cameras and a better way to view the panels from the office.”

In addition to the new security system, the school will continue to provide and promote safety in other ways, he said. Campus supervisors and other staff members consistently monitor different locations of the campus throughout the day. They can be found wandering around during break, lunch and before school.

“Security is more about presence, [and] presence is always a positive roadblock to security issues,” assistant principal Brian Thompson said.

Robinson said that the school can only be as safe as the people here make it. Technology can help immensely in this process, but safety relies mainly on alert students and staff.

“We want to continue working together, preparing for the possibilities and addressing problems when they arise,” Robinson said. “This is where strength in numbers really works.”