Anonymous wrote:Any others? Normal/not normal given the circumstances? Lots of parents up in arms about the guard being armed, but if there’s an actual threat I guess it makes sense.

Armed security for a preschool is pretentious and creates a whole new security risk. I'm sure a big group of parents pressured the school into it, no way it was the school's initiative.

Are you Jewish OP? This is very normal in NE cities’ Jewish institutions (synagogues, community centers).

That breaks my heart but it’s completely understandable.

Churches also have armed security guards these days. My current church has two.

Normal.

But so sad.

Anonymous wrote:Any others? Normal/not normal given the circumstances? Lots of parents up in arms about the guard being armed, but if there’s an actual threat I guess it makes sense.

Ironic metaphor.

Do those parents want their children guarded, or not? What is their specific complaint?

Very very normal, even prior to the current circumstance. Most synagogues have at least one police officer on duty most of the time. Ours does. Our previous synagogue in the city was wealthy and had a large preschool with children of some high profile people - they had a police officer as well as a number of security guards who were armed.

I don’t think people realize just how many people hate Jewish people. I say this as a non Jew married to a Jewish spouse. It’s incredible the level of anti-Semitism people say around me because they don’t know I’m married to a person who is Jewish and my children are half Jewish. It honestly still shocks me that people who would never say anything racist against people of color in mixed company still have no problem using the word Jew in a derogatory way.

Sounds smart

They are armed at the Jewish school/community center in my area. You also can't get in without showing an ID.

If someone is coming to kill you, the first thing he'll do is shoot the cop. Machine gun beats pistol.

Kids are used to the idea that police are openly armed. If it’s a big deal the school could consider trying to arrange a “uniform” that includes a blazer to cover the weapon.

Anonymous wrote:Any others? Normal/not normal given the circumstances? Lots of parents up in arms about the guard being armed, but if there’s an actual threat I guess it makes sense.

Given the horrific events of the past few days it is justified.

It's normal under the circumstances.

I attended an international school in Paris, with lots of diplomats' kids, and every time there was a heightened terrorist threat (mostly from Algeria), metal barriers would go up at every entrance, and military with assault weapons patroled the streets. We had Jews and Muslims at the school, and the administration was very careful to foster a cordial atmosphere.

Yes, I've heard of this at multiple temples with preschools/Hebrew schools.

Any others? Normal/not normal given the circumstances? Lots of parents up in arms about the guard being armed, but if there’s an actual threat I guess it makes sense.