Hospitals and healthcare facilities are some of the most active public spaces in the United States, and while most facilities strive to maintain a welcoming atmosphere, without protective measures this open-door policy can make them vulnerable to criminal activity.
The men who serve as armed guards work in teams of three every Sunday morning, according to a schedule emailed out every six weeks. Two men are placed near the main entrances to the church and double as greeters for the service. A third man stands near the pastor at the front of the church.
“We placed them so that wherever you’re out on campus, for the most part, on the main walking corridors, you can see one,” said Kent Anderson, assistant vice president for facilities management.
Gov. Eric Holcomb offered free metal detectors to any district in the state last summer. New Albany Floyd County Schools accepted the offer and received the new equipment last month.
“It’s impossible for the schools to properly screen each individual entering the building without slowing down the voting lines,” said Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, patron of House Bill 1752. “This creates a security concern because it potentially allows strangers unwarranted access to the school building.”
The district said students, employees and parents can use the SafeSchools Alert tip line to report safety concerns via phone, text or email, and have the option of doing so anonymously.
The cubes have been designed and tested to withstand the force of tornadoes with wind speeds of 261-318 mph. Quitman officials maximized the protection the cubes could offer by adding Ballistic Level III military-grade steel, which can resist rounds from semi-automatic weapons.
"The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals...from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to 'say something' before it is too late," according to the Safe2Say Something website.
On Dec. 13, 2018, a random student let a high school student in via a side door, allowing that student to avoid the metal detectors at the main entrance and bring in a loaded BB gun. As a result, alarms were added to about 30 doors at the campus over winter break.
The Los Angeles School Police Department said Friday it planned to station an officer at each middle and high school campus during the strike.