Putnam City Schools Beefing Up On Security

The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary has many parents like Lenita Broome
on edge.

“Its very nerve racking as a parent,” said Broome.

While Lenita is confident sending her kids to Arbor Grove Elementary she
does worry about one thing, the constant flow of people coming and going at the
school.

“The way the parents come in and everything like that. You just never
know people and their habits.”

A worry Putnam City Schools is working to alleviate.  

“If it's a person who's not known and there seems to be no reason to let
that person in...they won’t buzz them in,” said 
Steve Lindley is with Putnam City Schools.

Lindley said the district is installing electronic locks and video
surveillance at the entrance of all 27 schools in the district.

Right now people can walk through the doors to the main office but with
the new system they will have to stop push a button, talk to the school
secretary and be buzzed in to get access to the building. Installation has
started in 22 schools

“We've already pulled the wire now we just have to add the hardware.
That hardware has been ordered and should be here soon.”

But the other 5 PC schools currently do not have front lobbies

“Sometimes that requires quite a bit of construction. That price tag
varies it could be half a million dollars depending on the school.”

A price Lindley says is worth it.

“If there are things we can do to make schools safer and we can afford
them that’s what we need to do.”

Giving parents like Lenita a sense of security leaving her kids at
school.

It makes me feel better to know they’re trying and our school is looking
to improve at all times.”

And knowing every time the door closes school officials know who is on
the other side.

Posted: Monday, January 28 2013, 10:54 PM CST