Moe's Response to School Shootings
Police escort a young man out of Marshall County High School after a gunman opened fire on students killing 2 and injuring 19. (Dominico Caporali via AP)
Over these past four years there has been some changes going on throughout Moeller. All these changes have been happening to reach the goal of making the students as safe as possible.
Incidents like those at Stoneman Douglas High School, Sante Fe High School, and Marshall County High School have really opened the eyes the faculty members at Moeller concerning the threat of a school shooting. These changes Moeller has made should make the students feel safer going to school every day.
The things that Moeller has been doing to be prepared for this threat are simple but important. These simple things consist of changing the locks on the classroom doors because the old doors could only be locked from the outside. So you can see why that could be a problem for a teacher that has to leave the room to lock the door.
They have also brought in new training called A.L.I.C.E. which stands for alert, lock down, inform, counter, evacuate. This procedure sounds simple, but it is the number one thing that needs to be followed if there were ever a shooting in the school. In the past years at Moeller it has been very easy to get into the building because every door was unlocked. Now there is a new security system where only teachers can get in with a scanner during school hours. The only other way you can get in now is the front entrance that is monitored to where you have to buzz in and tell the security at the front why you’re here.
Moeller senior Michael Shipp was asked how safe he feels going to Moeller, he responded with a “yes”, but there was one thing that concerned him. He said, “When there was a bomb threat at Moeller 2 years ago made from a student, I was very confused on how they kept us in school telling us that it wasn’t real. I just don’t understand how they could declare the threat fake so soon when they found out about it a few hours ago.” After Michael said this, Moeller English teacher Mr. Jackson stated that, “I think we handled it professionally with getting the police involved and following every protocol that is needed.”
Mr. Beitman and Mrs. Kariofiles standing guard at the front entrance.
Photo taken By: Davis Bianchini
Mr. Jerry Beitman is the head of security at Moeller. Mr. Beitman knew that security was an issue that needed to be addressed, “The first time I walked into the building four years ago.” Though it was alarming to know Moeller’s security had a few glaring flaws, Mr. Beitman is working to improve everyone’s safety. A question that came up was the issue of carrying a weapon here at Moeller. Mr. Beitman’s stance was clear, “Yes I would if they allowed it, mainly because I come from a law enforcement background being in the police force for 35+ years. I also shoot 2-3 times a year.” The students should feel safe knowing that Mr. Beitman is in the building, but some might feel better knowing he is armed because that would be a faster response than calling 911.
Although Moeller has a long way to go with improving on preventing an act of terror, Mr. Beitman made another statement saying, “There is no way to prevent school shootings completely because there will always be issues with mental health, it’s a human problem.” Mental health and stronger background checks has been brought up throughout America where people have said it’s too easy to purchase a firearm. Nonetheless with the leaders that Moeller has like Mr. Hyzdu, Mr. Kremer, and Mr. Schaffer, the students should always feel safe because they are in great hands.