Lauren Spencer
Last semester the decision to have a safety intercom system installed in each classroom was finalized. The production of the intercoms is currently in the works and will be installed in the classrooms sometime this semester.
The purpose for the new intercom systems is a safety precaution. If something extremely dramatic like a student shooter or an extremely disruptive student or any other form of emergency the teachers would be able to press the little button to inform the sheriff that, “Hey, um something is wrong here we need your help.”
With the tragedies of Virginia Tech, Columbine High School, and countless others, campus safety is nothing to be taken lightly especially if it may happen to your school next. The intention of the intercom system is admirable and I believe it is a great decision from the school.
The discreteness of the system is a smart feature to have. According to the report from last semester, when the intercom is activated a silent signal will go off and notify the sheriff. This will allow them to listen in on the classroom and based on what they hear they will act appropriately.
When the intercom is activated the silence will help catch the problem starter off guard because they will not expect the sheriff coming and they wouldn’t have even known that the sheriff was notified.
The only thing that seems problematic is that if the entire classroom knows where the box is located, it can be accidently pressed. And then say there is an actual student shooter or a hostage type situation then couldn’t the criminal guard the box from everyone, keeping them from contacting the sheriff? I’m hoping the school has a plan B to handle those types of occurrences.
It is sad to know that people who choose to go to school and make something better of their lives are worried about their safety. The threat of unknown school shootings is borderline terrifying.
As adults we shouldn’t have to worry about those kinds of things. Maybe if your backpack was stolen or there is a textbook thief on campus, that is a little more understandable, but a shooter? A person walking on campus killing others for whatever reason is creepy.
The idea of the intercoms is absolutely great. Trying to solve a possible fatal incident before it happens is what I call true disaster prevention. Direct contact with the sheriff for protection without having to make a call and waiting until someone answers, is a bright idea.
Let’s hope that our school will never have to experience any life threatening incidents on campus. But knowing that these new safety boxes will be installed eases the tension of worry.
Lauren Spencer ()