Marjory Stoneman Douglas safety commission releases school security report

Reporter: Taylor Petras
Published: Updated:
FILE – In this Feb. 14, 2018 file photo. students are evacuated by police from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)

A more than 400-page report is dedicated to the 17 people who lost their lives in the 2018 Valentine’s Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Jennifer Garcia is a kindergarten teacher at Discovery Day Academy in Bonita Springs. She is a parent herself and takes school security seriously.

“All day we’re busy with the little kids just making sure they’re always safe,” said Jennifer Garcia, a parent. “That’s my number one goal in the classroom is to make sure they’re safe.”

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission report.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission report.

Document: Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission report

“The middle school my daughter is at there’s threats about knives and stuff like that,” Garcia said. “I don’t know of any gun threats, but that was concerning to me questioning: ‘Should I leave her there? Should I bring her with me where I see her every day?'”

Now, to ease parents’ minds and hopefully prevent another school shooting, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission recommends several changes to school security.

Parents, like Keli Lewis, think it is necessary, “Nobody wants metal detectors; nobody wants those things. But until we figure out how to fix the real problem, we’re going to have to put some of that stuff in.”

Everything from doors that can lock from inside classrooms, to giving law enforcement real-time access to school cameras.

Document: Final Report of the Federal Commission on School Safety

The recommendations also include expanding the Guardian Program to allow teachers to carry guns – a divisive issue.

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