The Express-Times today ran this blurb on its web site (available here):
U. NAZARETH TWP. | Bullies beware. On Tuesday, the Nazareth Area School District Building and Grounds Committee recommended the installation of four new surveillance cameras at the high school. For a total cost of $8,800, one camera will monitor the gym's lobby, two will watch the cafeteria hallways and one will be on the bridge to the main campus.
I'm not sure if the "new" signifies that the NASD already does have cameras installed or not. The cost, of course, is only the purchase cost. There will also be costs associated with monitoring and eventually maintenance.
Knowing nothing of the plan, reason, etc., a few additional thoughts do come to mind. Since two locations are regularly used by the public and groups (the gym lobby and bridge at the football field) will it be posted that cameras are in use? Will cameras operate when school is not in session? Will they be monitored or reviewed only when an incident is brought to the administration's attention? Finally, if it is a result of student behavior, would the middle school be a better candidate? While I don't have a child in that school, I have heard that the bullying is a problem there whereas I've not heard the same at the high school level.
What are your thoughts?
7 comments:
right now the district has two interior cameras and nine exterior cameras at the high school.
here's the link to the ex-t's article:
http://www.pennlive.com/news/expresstimes/index.ssf?/base/news-10/1173846050251680.xml&coll=2
Thanks for the note. Must have missed that article this week.
Seems we've already got an investment in this technology with 11 existing cameras.
It would be interesting to know what quantifiable statistics we've been able to acquire to demonstrate a return on this investment.
For instance identifies x number of vandals, x number of bullying incidents etc.
Thanks again.
Speaking as a recent grad, I never heard about them being used to resolve any problems at all. Which is not to say they weren't, but that sort of thing tends to get around fairly well.
I can understand the logic behind this, and even sympathize with it, but it is one more thing that makes students feel untrusted. I wonder how many middle fingers the new cameras will capture within the first week of operation?
If you notice, nine of the cameras are exterior. I recall some problems with vandalism during football games a few years back which I think started the ball rolling on the increased security measures.
The Holy Family School also has started installing cameras on its grounds, school and gyms due to a rash of vandalism and thefts.
Sign of the times, I guess.
There is bullying at the hs too.
Jonas, can we please stop with the poor, pitiful, picked on, Nazareth youth rant. It has gotten old, already.
Students are of the age that isn't trust worthy. Can't say that I've known many teens that are. I was once one myself and I know the territory. Most are good kids but trust is not something that teens are known for. Let's be realistic. It is something that most of us eventually, through good upbringing and a good conscience, grow into. But it doesn't come early and it doesn't come naturally. we have to be taught, and it takes a little time. Usually.
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