I am writing in regard to two articles, “Is Your Kid Safer in School?” and “How Long Did It Take Your School to Respond?” Both were about the security in schools. Reporters were sent to walk around schools and see how long it took for them to be noticed.

These articles opened my eyed and I hope they opened some other people’s eyes. Most of the schools the reporters visited really need more security. I think the state needs to buckle down and make some laws toward things like locking all side and back doors, visitors having to check in and wear name tags, and train the staff like the state and national experts recommended in the article.

If schools just did the three things listed, everything would be a little safer.

We need to do something about this. Just imagine what the school might have looked like if the reporters that visited were actually intruders. How many students and teachers would have been wounded or even killed? If we can take time out of a school day practice an emergency evacuation drill, can’t we take time to train and make sure doors are locked and visitors are signed in and wear a badge? Yes it might cost some money but isn’t it all worth it.

The security of the school and everybody inside is important.

Kirsten Whitten