How to keep our Schools secure. 12/14/12
By Michael A. Mongillo
Kids & guns….
Let’s look at the gun issue first, and get it out of the way.
Being a father of three and a gun owner, I am one who falls
into the categories of both.
The reason I will not give up my shotgun is because I consider it my only defense for my home & family, which is truly the best and safest choice for that reason.
Home invasions have sadly become all too common; it’s very frightening.
There is really no need for someone to have an assault rifle such as
an AR15, or an AK47, just because from a collector’s standpoint, they’re a "cool" gun to
have... seriously though, I think that the general public should NOT be permitted to possess nor carry such weapons. These types of guns were specifically designed for military use. Not for the average civilian. Most hunting rifles are either a bolt-action, single-shot, or chamber 3 - 5 rounds. That should be sufficient in a hunting or defense situation. Being a gun person, I agree with a ban of assault rifles to the average-non-military / law-enforcement public.
With that in mind, the Newtown shooter used an assault rifle, and a pistol. (So far in preliminary reports) Keep in mind that assault rifles often have large-capacity magazines ( where the bullets are fed from in the firearm) Some can hold up to 50-100 rounds. Is there any reason for civilians to have such firepower? I recall there being a law in the past about magazine sizes. Some 9mm guns can hold 15 rounds in its magazine out- of- the –box.
Keeping the amount of rounds any one magazine can hold is certainly a better law.
Now on to the proposed solution…….
SCHOOL SAFETY IDEAS:
On school safety, my proposal is as follows:
Let's make ALL schools as secure as or better than the BANKS are!
I'd rather see all children protected by better means than the money
is! Bank security just implies that the Government sees money as more sacred than our children are! And that’s very sad, and I'm sick of it!
So, let’s have security cameras installed around the full perimeter of the schools, every corner, sidewalk, parking lot, and hallway!
Also, ALL doors locked electronically, which can only be controlled by the office, and only the office.
There would need to be emergency measures put in place to allow easy escape in case of fires and other emergencies...
The front entrance doors should be Locked, with video
intercom installed, controlled by main office.
When a person enters, they should be met with a brick wall,
heavy steel door, and a person behind bullet-proof glass. ID's checked immediately, and cleared. That person would be required to wait for their child to be brought to the office then released, if that's the case and NOT allowed inside. Cleared folks must be buzzed-in,
The glass should have a slot to give and receive pens, paperwork, etc. much like a police station.
You should understand what I'm getting at by now.
Also, ALL students at ALL schools And ALL staff, teachers,
etc. should be required to have a School ID with bar-code.
A metal detector built in to the doorway at point of entry.
Maybe even at some other doors, maybe each classroom?
We have the technology to put this in place already, just think of how easy it would be to take attendance when each child would scan their card in the classroom, it would also help tech them responsibility early on… They love to scan things! It can be looked upon as “fun” for them, but in the meantime providing some level of security.
It just seems that Police Stations, Banks, courts, and
Airports have so much security, but they do not protect our children at their schools..
I understand that this will cost each community a lot of
money, but then who cares about money over our children??! I’m sure everyone feels that their children are worth it.
This plan also appears to make schools a fortress, Yes, it does, and it would be. But for the lives of our children and better “peace-of-mind”, Which would you rather have?
I’m sure the children would get used to it in a short time.
The Sandy Hook Elementary School had a security system installed just recently, but they did not have the inner door / breezeway if you will with the Steel door in place… I’m talking about a barricade to stop intruders. ( I really do not claim to know exactly how it played out)
Classroom windows would need to simply be reduced in size, maybe just welding a divider bar in the center. That will have to be addressed, so they can still have windows, and see the sunlight.
And of course Every single classroom and all offices should have a panic button like banks do!
I want these measures put in place ASAP, how about the rest of you parents?
I worked for the State of CT Board of Education on a
contract this past summer. There was a security system installed in a school in Oliver Wolcott Technical High school Torrington, CT., with cameras, video intercom, electric door-lock, etc.
Every School and college of every town in every state should do this!
I challenge President Obama to make this LAW now!
