There are seven armed police officers in high schools, 214 school security officials placed throughout the county, buzzer entry systems, locked doors and security cameras—but is it enough to keep Montgomery County’s public school children safe?
Dozens of Montgomery County parents packed the Montgomery County Public Schools headquarters in Rockville last night for a community discussion on school safety, but Wednesday's meeting was just the beginning of an ongoing conversation, according to officials. What are your thoughts on safety in Montgomery County public schools?
Some talking points from recent county discussions:
- There are different powers that SROs have in schools versus school security officers. In terms of ability to use lethal force, only police officers have that ability. Is there a place for any MCPS security officers to carry a weapon? —County Councilman Philip M. Andrews (D-Dist. 3) of Gaithersburg, chair of Montgomery County Council Public Safety Committee
- What more can be done to prevent bullying in schools? One parent, whose child has been a victim of bullying, believes only strict accountability is the answer.
- What best practices already exist among schools that can be rolled out across the county? That’s something that we, the school board, need to look at – using the resources we have in the best way we can. —Montogmery County school board President Christopher Barclay (Dist. 4) of Takoma Park.
- What balance should exist between tight physical security at schools and the flexibility needed for a nurturing education? I just have elementary school students, and I don’t want to see them caged; they need to go out and play, their science teacher needs to be able to take them outside.—Cheryl Peirce, parent and board member of the Montgomery County Council of PTAs.
Tell us your answers in the comments below.
However, there are other safety issues not being addressed. WIFI and cell towers are exposing our children to microwave radiation. Radiation associated with significant health effects. Even at very low doses it increases the permeability of the blood brain barrier Our school system needs to educate itself on these issues and protect out children. WIFI emits a Class 2 B carcinogen! Why is it allowed on school grounds? http://ehtrust.org/ The American Academy of Pediatrics is asking the FCC to reevaluate microwave radiation levels because children absorb more of it. “Many people wrongly still regard the question of cell phone safety as a fringe issue. The fact that the American Academy of Pediatrics is officially supporting a bill calling for more research, more protective standards, and better labeling of cell phones’ associated radiation exposure should be a wake-up call that this is an issue that must be taken seriously. http://www.ewg.org/release/american-academy-pediatrics-endorses-cell-phone-safety-bill
About gun violence- best to read this Post article http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/can-mothers-take-on-gun-violence-with-the-same-impact-as-drunk-driving/2013/01/17/e83aa294-60ca-11e2-b05a-605528f6b712_story.html?hpid=z5 Wallace and other moms worked with schools to get more security. “Not armed guards walking around with their guns out, but we wanted counselors. Counselors who would know that fight that killed Andre started in school. And it should’ve ended in school, with people talkin’ it out,” she said. “It’s always about communication.” I think a mothers says it best
You want to make your police force really effective in the community? Then you need to connect at a personal level. Not just enforcement. If trained in the right manner, this position would do a LOT more than just protect our kids. It could act as an early role model for kids that currently view police as someone to avoid and fear... not someone that they know and trust. Want to see bullying reduced? Yeah. We have an entire division of police assigned to protecting people on the road. Protecting people that are already inside of vehicles that the government mandates be incredibly safe. And we have Why don't we have similar for schools (other than transit is a revenue source). There are SIX police offers county wide that serve in this function. Our kid's are citizens as well, after all. Maybe after trying to ease your kid's fears after then next school massacre you can ask them if they think having a police officer at their school is a good idea.