Schools say surveillance cameras are keeping students safe

by Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

Tools

Washington High School has nearly 40 surveillance cameras

Washington High School has nearly 40 surveillance cameras located both outside and inside the building. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Sep 26, 2008 at 5:13 PM EST

Story Updated: Sep 29, 2008 at 10:19 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — Surveillance cameras are popping up everywhere, including schools. Security officials say they help keep kids safe.

This week alone, surveillance video has captured two incidents that led to student arrests. One involved a gun brought to Washington High School, the other an alleged prescription drug sale at Elkhart Memorial.

Security officers simply can't be everywhere all the time. It's the reason they say having a surveillance system is so important.

School resource officer Sgt. Eric Crittendon calls them the “eyes in the sky.”

Washington High School has nearly 40 surveillance cameras located both outside and inside. Except for the bathrooms and classrooms, they're everywhere from hallways to parking lots. And they're recording 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“It monitors everything that’s going on,” Crittendon told WSBT News. “And it’s also used as a tool because of course you can’t be everywhere in the building at all times.”

It’s a tool that Crittendon says is making the school safer.

Earlier this week a student brought a loaded handgun to school. He and a female student also bought marijuana from another student and hid it in a backpack — a situation where Crittendon says surveillance came in handy.

“Cameras helped identifying how the book bag was placed in the hallway, and who basically put the book bag in the hallway, and that was all identified on camera,” he said. “Any picture we can get that will help substantiate a story, either good or bad, is worth a thousand words.”

Some students couldn't agree more.

“If you’re getting in a fight, someone harassing you, they can see everything,” said student Aricka Thomas. “So I think it’s good.”

“It’s just for our protection,” said student Nathan Karn. “It’s a lot easier if something does happen. We can catch them right away pretty much.”

But others have their doubts.

“They help, but they won’t be able to catch everything,” said student Clarice Jackson. “So if they don’t catch everything who’s to say what could happen.”

Crittendon says the school's surveillance system has really come a long way. When he first started 12 years ago, the school barely had any cameras. Now, Crittendon says with just a click of a mouse he can look at video from hours and even days before.

Surveillance systems don't come cheap though. Washington High School’s equipment cost more than $150,000, and that doesn't include all the cameras. But the school says it's well worth it.

More Good Stuff

WSBT Weather

icon
Current Temp 45.4
°
More Weather

On Demand

More On Demand

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

7.00
Paid Programming
7.30
Jeopardy
8.00
The Mentalist
9.00
48 Hours Mystery
10.00
48 Hours Mystery
11.00
WSBT News
11.35
CSI: NY
12.35
CSI: NY
1.35
CSI: Miami

Question of The Day

Will the new health recommendations for women change your health screening habits?

E-mail your comments. We'll pick some to read during WSBT News at 5.

  • YES
  • NO
Today's Mortgage Rates