Unblinking eyes set for MHS installation
By By Suzanne Monk / managing editor
Feb. 28, 2003
The director of safety for Meridian Public Schools told the district's Executive Safety Committee on Thursday that, by next week, cameras will be trained on almost every area of Meridian High School.
Dr. Sam Thompson said all exterior areas of the campus will be covered, as will all hallways. The only areas that won't be covered are the classrooms themselves.
Kate Griffin was the first public school in Meridian to have cameras. MHS had three black-and-white cameras before school officials applied for money for new equipment through Safe and Drug-Free Schools, a Title IV program authorized by federal legislation.
Meridian Public Schools received about $24,000 and bought 30 modern cameras. They are color, motion-sensitive and "zoom-able." Images can be stored for up to 30 days on the system's hard drive, or can be saved on compact discs.
The system will have the ability to be accessed over the Internet.
Twenty cameras already have arrived and have been installed. Ten more are expected to be operational by next week. Thompson said he is focusing on a few key remaining areas: 1) the grounds between Ross Collins and the main campus and other high-traffic areas; 2) the lower parking lot; and 3) Ray Stadium.
In addition to providing security, Thompson said, the cameras will help in the prosecution of criminal cases and rebut what he called occasional "parent denial."
The Rev. Roderick Steele, chairman of the Executive Safety Committee, said both parents and students have come to him with concerns about security at MHS. These included complaints about inadequate punishment, illegal drugs and too few security officers on campus.
B.J. Barrett, a school board member who also serves on the committee, echoed Steele's concerns.
School Superintendent Dr. Janet McLin said The Riley Foundation is receptive to grant applications from Meridian Public Schools and might be willing to consider a request for money to fund additional security personnel.
Thompson said he hopes to arrange a media tour of the new system once all the cameras are in place.
Present at Thursday's meeting of Meridian Public School's Executive Safety Committee were the following members and school officials: Thompson, Steele, McLin, Barrett, Capt. Jeff Lewis of the Meridian Police Department, parent Linda Waters and the Rev. Bill Harper.
BADGES FOR STUDENTS?
The Executive Safety Committee also discussed the possibility of requiring all Meridian High School students to wear laminated, clip-on badges. The pros were safety and being able to quickly identify people who shouldn't be on campus. The cons included the difficulty of enforcing such a policy and the undesirability of actually suspending students for failing to comply.
