Metal detectors and searches should be used at school events
Watched a thrilling high school boys basketball game Wednesday evening as Nottingham High defeated Willingboro, 70-67.
Willingboro trailed by 11 after three quarters before Northstars’ magical senior guard Richie “Three” Jones (six treys, a three-point play and 28 points) saved the day with two late free throws.
Despite a soft law enforcement presence, thought about what might occur if a gunman entered. These thoughts exist as residue of terror.
This mental state of mind tethered the shooting at a Kentucky high school where a 15-year-old boy wounded 18 students and killed two others.
A New York Times report noted, “On Tuesday, it was a high school in smalltown Kentucky. On Monday, a school cafeteria outside Dallas and a charter school parking lot in New Orleans. And before that, a school bus in Iowa, a college campus in Southern California, a high school in Seattle.”
School shootings, social media, peer pressure, bullying, fashion competitions and regular drills for a gunman on site, composes our students world.
Thank goodness for organizations such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Campfire, YMCAs, teachers, administrators and religious institutions.
An appreciation exists here for all people who assist in the raising up of this generation that needs guidance, support and love.
Considering the regularity of school shootings, more than a dozen since January 1, no doubt we should have a discussion regarding implementation of metal detectors for all high school events.
According to National School Safety and Security Services, metal detectors may be a necessary tool in school districts with a history of chronic weapons issues and related violence such as shootings. Sounds proactive enough although attempting to predict where the next school shooting may occur seems like sheer guesswork.
Potential carnage awaits if we delay this action as the threat exists as real, especially if a perpetrator presses for ultimate effect.
One incident inside a New Jersey gymnasium, pool, football field or even an auditorium will change forever the landscape of high school athletics and other extracurricular activities.
Sure, it’s going to be disappointing when schools deploy metal detectors and include searches of guests who attend campus events.
Better this precaution then emergency vehicles and police responding to a shots fired incident inside a local gymnasium.