AR School Districts Discuss Security After Mass Shooting in CT

Little Rock School District officials say they were bombarded with calls from concerned parents Friday, asking about security measures.

Administrators in LRSD and PCSSD say they have security and resource officers available for all their schools but they wanted to give parents a closer look at how they keep students safe. 

 Karen Lamoreaux had already planned on picking up her kids early from Pine Forest Elementary Friday.

 "Kids are the center of my universe," she said before helping them into her minivan.

When news hit a gunmen killed dozens in a Connecticut elementary school, she says was even more eager to see them.

"I wanted to run to my kids as quickly as I could, it's heartbreaking this is becoming a trend in our schools it seems," Lamaoreaux says.

It's a trend Arkansas schools are working hard to avoid. Pulaski County Special School District administrators say the district spent millions adding and upgrading locks and cameras over the summer.

"Around the district one of the things that we say is 'remain vigilant,'" says Chief Operations Officer Derek Scott. 

While kids walk the halls in organized lines accompanied by teachers, visitors have to sign in.

"Where you can secure things, keep them secured," says Scott.

Little Rock School District's  superintendent says he sent out a memo Friday, reminding staff to review their security plans.

"Security is premised around human beings who see things, who talk, who walk around and make efforts to interact with people and we have that," said Dr. Morris Holmes.

Though she's happy with her school's  tight knit community, Lamoreaux now wonders if it's enough.

"It might be time for metal detectors on the door to make sure the weapons aren't making their way in," she says.

Both districts report most school side doors are locked during the school day, the front doors remain unlocked for easy access. Dr. Holmes says he'll leave it up to individual principals whether to lock main entrance doors.

Metal Detectors are used in some LRSD schools but not all, and officers typically use the wand detector over walk-thru detectors at entrances.