LRSD Discusses Armed Guards for Each School
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: January 10, 2013
Stronger security is still at the forefront of school district concerns across Arkansas nearly a month after a gunman stormed into a Connecticut elementary school, killing dozens and prompting districts to reassess their safety plans.
Now, some are sharing more details on their first steps toward creating safer school environments.
Addressing school board members Thursday night, Dr. Morris Holmes recommended "at least one person on campus, at an entrance, on the playground, an armed security guard."
As he continued, he shared that more guards with guns, would be the first of many suggestions to boost school safety prompted by the Newtown school shooting.
"When an individual comes on campus armed, the only way to stop that individual is an armed guard in the school," LRSD Security Director Robert Jones says.
Jones says each time there is a school shooting in the country, the district takes a hard look in the mirror and makes changes. After Columbine, LRSD made its camera system accessible to Little Rock police, This time they say more Little Rock police, armed and unarmed guards are the immediate answer.
Some school board members were a bit hesitant to jump on board with the suggestion.
"Here is my fear folks, I have read everything about the security in Sandy Hook as I'm sure many of you have, and everything I read tells me they had a solid plan," says school board member Jody Carreiro. "Bad things still happened."
Jones says LRSD hasn't had any school shootings in the past 20 years and the district needs to keep changing with the times to try and keep it that way.
Dr. Holmes suggested the school board members consider armed guards now to help administrators feel safer while they implement other changes such as adding power locks and even fences to some schools.
The board will discuss this recommendation at a special meeting next week.
Now, some are sharing more details on their first steps toward creating safer school environments.
Addressing school board members Thursday night, Dr. Morris Holmes recommended "at least one person on campus, at an entrance, on the playground, an armed security guard."
As he continued, he shared that more guards with guns, would be the first of many suggestions to boost school safety prompted by the Newtown school shooting.
"When an individual comes on campus armed, the only way to stop that individual is an armed guard in the school," LRSD Security Director Robert Jones says.
Jones says each time there is a school shooting in the country, the district takes a hard look in the mirror and makes changes. After Columbine, LRSD made its camera system accessible to Little Rock police, This time they say more Little Rock police, armed and unarmed guards are the immediate answer.
Some school board members were a bit hesitant to jump on board with the suggestion.
"Here is my fear folks, I have read everything about the security in Sandy Hook as I'm sure many of you have, and everything I read tells me they had a solid plan," says school board member Jody Carreiro. "Bad things still happened."
Jones says LRSD hasn't had any school shootings in the past 20 years and the district needs to keep changing with the times to try and keep it that way.
Dr. Holmes suggested the school board members consider armed guards now to help administrators feel safer while they implement other changes such as adding power locks and even fences to some schools.
The board will discuss this recommendation at a special meeting next week.
