Stoneman Douglas students question new security measures regulating backpacks
Tribune News Service
PARKLAND, FLA.» Marjory Stoneman Douglas High created a new environment Monday, with clear backpacks, bag searches, I.D. lanyards, police officers at every entrance and a student body skeptical that any of it will make them safer.
District officials say Stoneman Douglas, the site of a Feb. 14 shooting that killed 17, is serving as a pilot for possible districtwide security changes. Some schools already have more cops on campus, and dozens are now armed with AR-15 rifles. The district says it’s expediting plans to provide fencing and gates at about 100 schools.
The district limited the number of places students could enter Stoneman Douglas in the morning to four, with guards stationed at each spot. Metal-detecting wands weren’t being used Monday but are being considered, officials said.
“This is still being explored by the district. No decision or date has been set for the use of metaldetection wands,” district spokeswoman Cathleen Brennan said.
The new precautions didn’t prevent the school from receiving an emailed bomb threat Monday, which the Broward sheriff’s office determined to be unfounded.
“The BSO bomb squad responded and swept the school with negative results,” Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Keyla Concepcion said. “Additional deputies were placed on campus as a precaution. The investigation is ongoing.”
On Monday, the first day back from spring break, administrators handed out clear backpacks — the only ones allowed at the school for the time being, officials say. The school confiscated non-clear backpacks, returning them to students at the end of the day. Band instruments and sports equipment were left with teachers and coaches.
Students also were given lanyards to hold photo identification cards, which they’ll be required to wear at all times.
Some students compared their school to an airport, others to a prison. Few voiced support for the changes.
“Do you want me to take my shoes off when I walk into school as well?” tweeted Carly Novell, a senior at the school and editor of the Eagle Eye student newspaper.
Ariana Lopez, a junior at the school tweeted, “First member of my family to be in prison — oh wait. I’m in school, sorry, can’t tell the difference without my glasses.”
On Monday morning, many students entered the campus carrying plastic grocery bags containing their books and other belongings. Students reported a number of bag searches by school officials.
“Got my brown paper lunch bag checked today while walking to class. Lady saw my sandwich and figured it wasn’t a threat,” tweeted Christy Ma, an Eagle Eye editor.
The police presence was heavy Monday and will remain so at least until the end of the school year, officials say. Gov. Rick Scott is providing up to eight Florida Highway Patrol officers to guard the school, and extra Broward sheriff’s deputies and district police officers are also stationed there.
The backpacks were donated by Walmart and the Broward Education Foundation. Many students posted photos of them on Twitter, along with sarcastic comments.
One student complained about the smell of her bag, comparing it to “the inflatable pool toys when they’re immediate taken out of the box.”
Another said the bags are bound to get mixed up when everyone has the same one.
Student activist Jaclyn Corin accessorized her bag with buttons that said, “Vote,” “March for Our Lives,” and “MSDStrong.”
“They should’ve been given to a school that actually needs the supplies,” she tweeted. “But since we’re stuck with them, I decided to make the most out of the situation & decorate!”