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Security Measures at Chatham County Schools
Thursday, Aug 16, 2007 - 05:01 PM Updated: 04:42 PM
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Save This PageIn a News 3 follow up, the search continues for a rape suspect who reportedly attacked an 18-year old Beach High School athlete on campus. School officials say it happened Tuesday evening in the gym.
School Officials tell News 3 the teen was in a separate part of the building away from other students at the time.
Coach's and staff at all school campuses are now on heightened alert and will make sure all doors are locked and secured.
"it is our responsibility to make sure that our children are safe and we are going to do exactly that so if it means tightening measures so that it is far more difficult for people to get into our schools then that's what we're going to have to do." Says Bucky Burnsed, the Director of Communications for SCCPSS.
Police are still looking for a suspect in this case. If you have information call Crimestoppers at 234-2020.
Following the incident at Beach, many are asking what is being done to keep students, teachers and faculty safe on school grounds.
The Savannah-Chatham School system already has many plans in place and more in the works to improve safety.
There are several steps the district is taking to make schools more secure and it's being done with money from E-SPLOST, the extra penny sales tax for education.
All of the steps are designed to make school properties harder for people to enter and to make the campuses safer for everyone.
New video surveillance cameras will be installed or upgrades will be made to existing systems in all of the district's secondary schools. The systems are going to be digital, not VHS. That way, other agencies such as the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department can access live video. If there's a problem, officials can see what's going on before they enter the building.
Security fencing will be installed at campuses that aren't already fenced in. Priority will be given to schools with open campuses first.
Another security measure taken with E-SPLOST funds was the purchase of portable walk-through metal detectors. These can be used at schools, games or other events.
One measure was already underway last year…random inspections of students with hand held metal detectors. School staff look for weapons and other contraband.
For a list of E-SPLOST upgrades at each of the district's schools, click here.