New school year in the USA: Classrooms are being equipped against rampages

Mission (USA) - In recent years, headlines about shooting sprees have dominated the USA. The most recent highly publicized incident was at Uvalde Elementary School in Texas, where 19 children lost their lives. To prevent further tragedies, many states are installing alarms in their schools.

Security systems in US schools have become more popular in recent years due to efforts to curb school shootings.
Security systems in US schools have become more popular in recent years due to efforts to curb school shootings.  © --/XinHua/dpa

Melissa Lee had to comfort her own children earlier this year after a school shooting rampage in the US state of Kansas.

Her son helped the teacher barricade the door to his classroom. No one in his room was harmed, but an administrator and police officer were injured at the school, ABC News reported.

Every school rampage since then has upset her more than ever. That's why she applauds her school district's plan to set up alarm switches in her schools.

These alarm systems are gaining in popularity across the United States. They often include mobile panic buttons that teachers carry around with them, or apps that everyone can install.

In theory, this allows the appropriate authorities to be notified more quickly should the worst-case emergency occur.

"Timely intervention is incredibly important," said Lee. "You can just press a button and we know that something has happened, that something really bad has happened."

Effectiveness of security systems not proven

Among other things, metal detectors are installed at schools as part of security systems. (symbolic image)
Among other things, metal detectors are installed at schools as part of security systems. (symbolic image)  © Europa Press/EUROPA PRESS/dpa

Other schools have purchased similar equipment for their security. This includes surveillance cameras, metal detectors, alarm systems, clear backpacks, bulletproof glass and door locking systems.

Several states, such as Florida and New Jersey, require the installation of such measures. Complex security systems for schools are nothing new; since 2015, the systems have become increasingly popular.

However, their effectiveness is unproven. Uvalde also had a security system, but it had many gaps during the crisis situation.

Mo Canady, president of the National Association of School Resource Officers, a school resource organization, notes that the panic of false alarms could be problematic.

She also brings up that this solution doesn't necessarily remedy the situation because not much is known about its effects."By throwingso much technologyat the problem , we may have created a false sense of security," Canady said.