Quote:
Originally Posted by Grapesoda
actually the general public doesn't have full access to schools. my daughter high school was fenced with a guard. when I went on campus I had to go the office and check in.... I was not able to wonder around at will. and a few guards is a quicker fix, and cheaper than tracking down psychopaths or trying to take guns away from people. either as a nation we are serious about safety in schools or it's just political bullshit and great news drama  |
The general public has full access to the local schools. Local schools host tons of events; The school up the street where my kid used to go to has a church that uses the gym on Sunday mornings.
My kid is in grade school, but yet I know the layout of the high school by heart. I've attended meetings in the library, the small (old) gym, and the band room. My kid has given choir performances in the new gym, and last week we had to turn in our fund raising money to some stranger in the teacher's lounge. I also spent a Saturday afternoon painting over graffiti at the high school. I went to every home football game on Friday nights; On Saturdays the entire football field, the grounds, the snack bar, and the security is controlled by my wife who runs the local youth sports league. During a football game there are three points of access - the front gate and the side gate for everyone, and the back gate for staff members - all of which are manned by volunteers filling up their volunteer hours. If you don't want to pay to get into the football game, you just park in the main parking lot, walk around the new gym, and your in - no problem.
I can tell you the same about my kid's prior school too, although during the day they lock up the school. Then again, any jackass can pop the curb and park their car next to the fence to gain access.
I can tell you the same about my kid's current school. Three points of access up front including a chain link fence gate for cars, but the back gate is the worst - The kids do PE on the track and the lower sports fields which means the back gate is always open.
This kid live in that town for years. He's been to that school dozens of times. If it wasn't for some sports league awards ceremony or some after school event or sports practice, then maybe some kind of "fall festival" or even open house when he went with a friend.
Schools are soft targets. They can put up fences all they want and try to restrict access, but anyone can get over those fences easily.
All I'm saying is securing a school is going to very difficult. It's not an airport or courthouse where access is extremely limited; Most of us know all about our local schools and have total access after hours.