Security Cameras Set Out To Increase Safety On Campus

Students began to notice black, circular, round security cameras lining Kennedy’s halls on Aug. 12, the first day of school.

"So the district is the one that with the decision,¨ Dr. Fisher, JFK’s principal, said. ¨We´re pushing forward for all of our schools to eventually have security cameras.¨

Having cameras are meant to be used to enhance security around the area, having evidence in case of a problem, or even making sure a student feels safe. 

“Students can’t learn unless they feel safe,” Ms. Wong said. “School is supposed to be a safe environment for everybody.” 

“We’re all kids and we all deserve a chance to be safe,” Miranda Van Loon (12) expressed. “Learn in an environment where we’re supposed to be safe and learn.” 

She further explains that with threats happening to other schools, students shouldn’t go through that and they should live their lives as students in a safe environment. 

“It is a serious matter,” Dr. Fisher stated. “It is always going to be a barrier if you don’t take it seriously.”

  With 91 percent of public schools using security cameras on their campuses, it is safe to say that almost all schools are concerned for their student’s safety. It can deterviolence, prevent people from outside from coming in and having real-time footage of everything. 

 Although these are good reasons to have security cameras, there are some people who oppose having them in schools. According to the website, Edweek, a survey was taken by students who share their opinions on cameras. 

  About a third of respondents say that they feel like they’re being watched. 27 percent say that the footage can be used to discipline them. 22 percent also say that they worry that information can be shared outside with law enforcement. They believe that it can violate their privacy. 

“I dislike it,” Daniel Patton said, “I think that it’s kind of an invasion of privacy.” 

When it comes to student safety at Kennedy, Kyle Hall (11) shared that students may not feel safe, and claimed that you cannot trust everybody.

Dr. Fisher puts himself in the shoes of students, ¨If I feel unsafe, I´m not gonna be able to learn.”

Dr. Fisher also revealed that during back-to-school night, an unfortunate event with students being harmed occurred, and insinuated that security cameras can prevent events like such to occur.

Photo by Khanh Do | Circular cameras sprinkled throughout campus.