Security becomes focal point after teen was shot in Omaha school
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - More than 1,500 students attend Omaha Northwest High School. After a 15-year-old was shot inside the school Tuesday, they have the day off from classes Wednesday.
On Tuesday night, parents don’t want to let go of their sons or daughters. Many waited a couple hours just for the hug, and to finally let their minds calm. Some students question whether they even want to come back to school Thursday.
“It’s completely understandable for what students went through today,” said OPS Superintendent Matthew Ray.
On Wednesday, Northwest High will focus on the staff, with counselors being made available. The students will be next.
“It’s not just one thing,” said Ray.
When it comes to school security, Ray says it’s a constant discussion with a lot of moving parts. All the schools have new cameras and locks. Every OPS high school and middle school has a police officer stationed in the building.
Other students are often the best resource for trouble at school, like weapons. Some parents wonder if metal detectors are the answer. Two years ago, five guns had been confiscated at various high schools during the school year.
“If you look at the size of our schools, I don’t think metal detectors are the answer,” said Chief Officer of Student Services Lisa Utterback in a 2022 interview with 6 News.
52,000 kids attend Omaha Public Schools. National research is varies about the impact of metal detectors at schools. Some studies show students are less likely to carry a weapon, while others show the presence of metal detectors may detrimentally impact student perceptions of safety.
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