Reply to MCPS policies to prevent school shootings

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]What is MCPS doing to prevent school shootings in our kids’ schools? Heightened security? Closing most entrances? Do parents feel comfortable still sending their kids to public school?[/quote]

MCPS has no meaningful security plans and they're not seriously looking to address it either. They're hoping there's enough space between violent incidents that parents and teachers forget about it and don't demand change.[/quote]

It’s ridiculous to say this and absolutely not true.  Is there more that could be done, maybe, but to say they have no plan and have not looked into it, is a complete lie.[/quote]

+1
I would like to know if the new schools that are being built have any gun safety measures such as curved halls, secure doors, etc?

Please, enlighten us with the robust, detailed security plan MCPS has that you're aware of.[/quote][/quote]

Let me see just off the top of my head, they have drills, contact with MCPD, dedicated school line at MCPD, buzzing into school that requires walking through the main office, locking of doors, Patrolling of schools in intervals, training of teachers.  And that’s just without real thought.  So again to say that MCPS has no security planning and does no reviews is a blatant falsehood.  Further, any security organization worth anything would not share the entire security plan with the public as that woukd defeat the purpose.  They determine parts that can be made available to specific people and the public without adverse impact.  And the greatest threat to any security plan, is the actual people within the system.[/quote]

This sounds like a plan to you?

None of the things you mentioned are new and were in place at MCPS BEFORE Magruder and before the opioid overdoses and ongoing uptick of weapons and physical altercations in MCPS high schools.

Safety drills, "contact with MCPD" are not a plan. And are you kidding me about locking doors? MCPS has done such a terrible job with locking the doors and preventing kids who aren't supposed to be in the school from getting in that they're NOW [i]considering[/i] piloting requiring student badges to control entry access. Even that step, which is a least something, is not guaranteed and is only being evaluated as a potential pilot.

Meanwhile, OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN OUR AREA, such as Alexandria, Arlington Public Schools, Stafford County, Prince William County and Loudoun County are investing in weapons detection technology, vape detectors, increasing investments in video surveillance and MEANINGFULLY increasing their investment in security personnel.

https://wtop.com/alexandria/2023/03/alexandria-city-school-board-approves-metal-detector-pilot-program-in-schools/

https://www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/prince-william-county-considering-weapons-detection-systems-for-middle-high-schools/article_a0075d74-9dcc-11ed-8e38-0731051d5ac0.html#:~:text=Prince%20William%20County%20considering%20weapons%2Ddetection%20systems%20for%20middle%2C%20high%20schools,-By%20Jill%20Palermo&text=The%20Prince%20William%20County%20school,weapons%20on%20an%20everyday%20basis.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/vape-detectors-installed-in-2-stafford-county-high-schools/3297831/#:~:text=Two%20Stafford%20County%20high%20schools,on%20students%20vaping%20in%20school.

In Texas, where Uvalde happened, school districts are re-evaluating and re-investing in security in response to the incident: https://www.kxan.com/news/austin-isd-discusses-school-safety-improvements/

[QUOTE]Safety and security committee meetings moved to monthly to address any issues quickly. Before the change was made the meetings were held once a quarter.

The district will also look to the 2022 Bond for even more safety upgrades.

“I think unfortunately the challenge that we have is it can’t happen soon enough,” Segura said. “And there is timing, there is a sequence, there is a funding element we have to think about.”

Some of the projects will improve safety at open campuses which should begin in August 2024.

New schools will get security vestibules, better fencing and door locks and security systems.

“I think where we see challenges are things that bonds can’t pay for. That is mental health, it is different types of training, we can’t use capital investments for that,” Segura said. “As an organization we are constantly trying to improve.”[/QUOTE]

Even in Nashville, where a shooting at a private school just happened, school districts are moving to enhance and bolster security: https://fox17.com/news/local/tn-lawmakers-propose-school-safety-solutions-after-nashville-elementary-school-shooting

[QUOTE]Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally wrote a letter to Governor Lee saying there needs to be better window and glass securing in school buildings, magnetic lock implementation on doors, modernized camera systems added, and armed guards hired.[/QUOTE]

Meanwhile, a YEAR after Magruder, MCPS has not announced ANY significant or strategic security investments or enhancements. Nothing. Nada. You add the Magruder shooting to the laundry list of weapons, fights and drug use on campus, with MCPS's response being to add latches to bathroom doors, locking bathroom access and asking teachers to be bathroom monitors, and it's clear MCPS doesn't have a comprehensive, potent security and safety plan.

You don't have to get into the DETAILS of your security plan to announce that your doubling your security personnel, tightening your discipline and security protocols and investing in more sophisticated and effective security infrastructure. MCPS has done none of that is just trying to put band-aids on a gunshot wound and they're counting on enablers like you to help them bury their heads in the sand.
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