Local elementary school introduces high-tech security system
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ANACORTES, Wash. -- An Anacortes elementary school wants to protect students inside the building by keeping others out.
Mount Erie Elementary school is turning to technology in the wake of the Sandy Hook Massacre. Starting Tuesday, when parents show up to the school, the only way in is to buzz the office and get video and audio permission to enter.
The school, which once had an open-door policy, is now locked.
"I don't know, I think it's a balance of excitement and apprehension," said principal Peter Donaldson.
The excitement is because the security system is new, and the apprehension is because it could be confusing to visitors.
When parents or students push the button, it sparks a feed with the office. If the person is not on a child's contact form, the front desk can deny them access to the building.
Then there are the secretaries who will answer all the calls. If all three office workers are occupied, the call may go unanswered.
It's a big experiment, but many parents say they welcome a cautious approach.
"With everything that's going on these days, you can't be too careful," one parent said.
Sedro-Wolley and Mount Vernon also plan to amp up security by locking doors and installing cameras.
The new system cost Mount Erie roughly $3,000, and many say it is a small price to pay if it will help protect the children.
"This isn't a guarantee of anything like we saw at Sandy Hook, but I think it's an opportunity for us to look at a different level of security," Donaldson said.
Depending on how successful the system goes, they'll look to expand it across the district.
Mount Erie Elementary school is turning to technology in the wake of the Sandy Hook Massacre. Starting Tuesday, when parents show up to the school, the only way in is to buzz the office and get video and audio permission to enter.
The school, which once had an open-door policy, is now locked.
"I don't know, I think it's a balance of excitement and apprehension," said principal Peter Donaldson.
The excitement is because the security system is new, and the apprehension is because it could be confusing to visitors.
When parents or students push the button, it sparks a feed with the office. If the person is not on a child's contact form, the front desk can deny them access to the building.
Then there are the secretaries who will answer all the calls. If all three office workers are occupied, the call may go unanswered.
It's a big experiment, but many parents say they welcome a cautious approach.
"With everything that's going on these days, you can't be too careful," one parent said.
Sedro-Wolley and Mount Vernon also plan to amp up security by locking doors and installing cameras.
The new system cost Mount Erie roughly $3,000, and many say it is a small price to pay if it will help protect the children.
"This isn't a guarantee of anything like we saw at Sandy Hook, but I think it's an opportunity for us to look at a different level of security," Donaldson said.
Depending on how successful the system goes, they'll look to expand it across the district.
Adam Lanza shot up this large 5' window next to the main door, but had they re-enforced the window to prevent entry, it would have delayed his attack by a several minutes, which would have saved maybe 10-15 lives because his rampage ended the second he heard the police coming. Had the police showed up 5-10 minutes later, then the tragedy would have been about 40-50 lives lost. Securing doors doesnt prevent this from happening, but it slows people down, long enough for the cops to show up. You cant expect a paid guard or even volunteer possee to protect schools, because some schools had armed guards and it didnt make much of a difference.Â
So like a prison.
And all the kids get out of school at the same time and could be sitting ducks for anyone intent on doing bad things. This is all feel good crap that won't make things safer but cost a lot of money. The real problem is treating people that are on mind altering drugs and need help with mental problems that we don't have money for even thou it would be cheaper in the long run.
Sandy Hook Elementary had a similar system which Adam Lanza defeated by shooting his way through the door.  Might stop some people but not anyone who is serious about accessing a school.
The only way this system makes much sense is if all the outside doors are upgraded to be breach resistant.
@My_Thoughts Then they would use the windows.Â
@swan True.  I had thought that each class room should have breach resistant doors, so in case shots were heard teachers could bolt the doors and limit access.  Then one might limit a shooter's access to one room unless they ran from window to window which would be time consuming allowing for the police to respond.
I like this idea, but, as a parent who is disabled, I have to go through this at my son's school because the disability access is locked at all times. I have to call to notify them that I'm at the door. Last week when I went to pick up my son at school I was stuck waiting for 10 minutes in the rain while I waited for someone to let me in. If they had an automated door that could be buzzed I would be more open to this idea for all schools.
Good! So much better and safer than some trigger-happy whackjobs' ideas about bringing in armed guards.Â
@HadrianSandy Hook Elementary had a similar system which didn't stop Adam Lanza from shooting his way through the door and continuing in to massacring his victims.
Even if you armored the doors to prevent shooting through them any person serious about shooting up a school would  figure a way in and once inside would have free range to shoot anyone they chose to.
How would you suggest an armed intruder in a school be neutralized in the time between first shots and the police's response?Â