Comments on: OUSD security update: List of schools

By: Harold

Harold — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:45:01 +0000

looks like the district is trying to replace SSO’s with video cameras. Problem is the video can only show part of the story. I hope we are able to keep our hardworking, front-line, security professionals.

By: CJohnson

CJohnson — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 06:32:14 +0000

What was the criteria for deciding what schools will get the new security system? Will Frick Middle School be able to get the security cameras since Cole MS has closed? My daughter will be attending Frick next semester and I am worried about her safety. Frick is a good school but the area needs some help.

By: Steven Weinberg

Steven Weinberg — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:21:23 +0000

I was surprised and very disappointed to see that Frick Middle School, where I worked for 9 years, is not included in the list of campuses receiving this security upgrade. There is no other flatland school of similar size that is not included.
Just this year there have been three serious incidents adjacent to the school: the hit-and-run killing of a sixth grader, a police shootout after a car chase in the parking lot of the apartment building directly across the street from our PE field (a building so notorious for criminal activity that area residents refer to it as “New Jack City”), and a reckless driving case that resulted in a car crash and death of a senior citizen. Security cameras might have helped police investigations into all these cases, and more importantly, might improve the atmosphere in the neighborhood surrounding the school so that future incidents are avoided.
An excellent administration, a caring staff, and a stellar security team have made Frick a safe and orderly campus, but after hours and on weekends the building is an easy target for vandals and taggers. The school has invested its own funds in security cameras, but they are far from state-of-the-art, and the school’s current budget doesn’t allow for replacement when units wear out.
Inclusion in this program would help reduce dangerous conditions outside the school and the protect the students of Frick.

By: Union Supporter-But

Union Supporter-But — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:06:30 +0000

Katy: This goes back to my original question. Let’s say that there is an incident on the Bret Harte campus in which someone is hurt. The principal, a security person and the district personnel can see the ethnicity, approximate height and what the perpetrator was wearing. What is the communication plan to the student body? to the parents? to the community at large?

By: Katy Murphy

Katy Murphy — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:04:34 +0000

I just noticed Cole Middle School is on the list, though it closed last year, as well as schools that are slated to close in June.