PS161's E-Zine

Shouldn't schools have more security? I think that they really should. So many problems have occurred because of poor security.

So many students have gone missing or have died from bomb threats. This happens because unknown visitors come into the schools and because of this, terrorists can enter the building. If poor security continues, this issue is going to happen very often. Also people are never aware of terrorist attacks in schools. The Columbine High School attack in 1999 shocked everyone but, no one was aware about it till it happened.

Because of poor security, many gangs have formed. A report from a Texas attorney in 1997 had stated that the gang members in the state had increased from 35,000 to 47,000.

Another example of what happens because of poor security is what happened to Jeanne Clery. On April 5, 1986, Jeanne was raped and murdered by an unknown student on campus. He was a drug and alcohol user. In 1987, there were at least 31 murders and more than 1,500 robberies on college campuses. Thirty eight percent of college women questioned had either been raped or were victims of assaults.

There are also many drug activities that have occurred. According to a survey created by the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, there was an increase of drug use of high school and college students, especially marijuana, since 1992.

On the plus side, the presence of weapons in school has improved. Statistics show that 8,012 weapons were confiscated from students. This was fifteen percent more than BEFORE, IN 1994. Also threats of harming teachers has lowered down from 6,238 to 4,369. Improvements have occurred, however, violence and assaults still remain in schools.

I have so many reasons why I want there to be more security in schools. Now I even have the facts to prove that there should be more security in schools.