Local schools' security measures after Connecticut shooting

The pain felt by families in Connecticut after the massacre at an elementary school.. is shared by families right here in Oklahoma. Some parents rushed to their children's schools as soon as they heard the news. Fox 25's Kisha Henry was there as many of them embraced their children a little tighter today. The sometimes mundane activity of picking up the kids from school gained new meaning. And, it now has parents asking-- Do I really feel safe dropping my children off at school? And, what is the school district doing about it?

"We have restricted access to our buildings. During the school day, if someone goes into a door that's not the main front door, they have a card that lets them in. We're able to track that by computer. We're also able to lock doors electronically from the campus police department," he says. Visitor who enter the main building are also not allowed access to the school unless they go through the main office or are buzzed in. Security cameras adorn each school, inside and out. "They range from 16 to 20 cameras, up to 70 to 80 cameras in some of our bigger buildings," says Capt. Stout. He says an officer is also stationed at every middle school and high school, and an officer stops in at each elementary school daily.

"We join all citizens in our state and nation in expressing profound sadness over today's tragedy in Connecticut. The shocking events this morning are parents' and educators' worst nightmare.

While schools, churches and any building to which people migrate are always somewhat vulnerable when an individual is intent on evil, we do have policies and procedures in place within our district to maximize the safety of students. Every NPS principal has had active shooter training by the Norman Police Department this year, and every one of our school sites has crisis plans in place.

Our teachers and students conduct lockdown drills each year to ensure to the extent possible that everyone knows how to best respond if an attack occurs. And, also to the extent possible at individual schools, exits and entrances that can be locked during the school day are locked.

Certainly, in light of today's events, we will take the time to review our current procedures with our staff. We have messaged our families to remind them of schools' crisis planning, and informed them that school counselors are available to their children if they believe their children would benefit from their counsel. Students' safety and security are the highest priority for Norman Public Schools."

Posted: Friday, December 14 2012, 09:47 PM CST