Extra Security In Place At Marjory Stoneman Douglas High
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PARKLAND (CBSMiami) - Extra security measures went into place Wednesday morning at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High.
Eight Florida Highway Patrol troopers were tasked with helping to guard the entrances and exits of the school.
Governor Rick Scott's office proposed adding the troopers and the Broward Sheriff's Office agreed.
The proposal came shortly after two Douglas High students were arrested for bringing weapons on campus and a sheriff's deputy assigned to protect the school was accused of sleeping on the job.
"I'm so happy with the state troopers here. I think their leadership is probably gonna be way better than what BSO is having to offer," said student Gary Winthorpe.
The extra troopers are just the beginning of new security measures at all Broward schools. Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie discussed the measures at a town hall meeting in North Miami.
"We're going to be able to man every gate at the school during school hours and for after-school activities. We will be implementing a program for clear backpacks after spring break. We are also going to funnel students and visitors to confined points and wand folks like you'd see in airports and so forth," said Runcie.
Students will be required to wear identification badges at all times.
Not all students feel the changes are necessary.
"Shout out to America for making my school seem like jail now because legislators don't have common sense gun reform on their agendas," Kyra Parrow put on Twitter.
"Makes me a little anxious, rather than obviously feel protected because there's more people there, but it's more making me anxious," said Alanna L'Connell.
Freshman Nicole Weisselberg said while metal detectors may be a step too far, some of the other new rules make her feel safe.
"They're not really gonna let any, um, weapons or anything get in the school anytime soon, so that's a little comforting," she said.
Runcie said he wants every school in Broward to have a single entry point by the end of this year and no later than the first quarter of 2019. He said the district will be upgrading cameras and security systems. The upgrades should be done by June of this year.
Also, the district will continue to conduct code red training at all schools and enhance it for middle and high schools
