ESHS metal detector blues: security measure drags entry to a crawl
When this news site visited the ESHS, several students could be seen in a line anxiously awaiting their turn to get past the gate of the school.
According to several students and educators, there was no advanced warning of the installation of the device and while some saw the implementation as a good initiative, others had something quite different to say.
One student, who said he was in Form 2, felt it was a good measure which “stopped [students] from bringing phones” into the compound and also thought that it was about weapons as well.
“I don’t really know what prompted it,” one educator said, “but there has been a lot of security issues on campus lately.” The teacher noted that there were several fights and students discovered to be carrying weapons, which he had placed under this category.
“We’re also getting ready to be accredited,” the source continued, “the school is being accredited soon so that also is an issue that had to be rectified before the school could be accredited.” The source declined to offer whether any injuries resulted from any of the fights that took place. “I think it is more a needed thing, it is about time it was [done] because the school is not getting easier, it is getting more difficult with students in gangs, wars and so on… to keep the safety of the students, [the metal detector] was quite needed.”
Another educator said, “the perimeter is not secure so I don’t think that was the best approach, we should work on securing the perimeter first. Anything can be passed through the fence.”
Acting Principal of the school, Mr Wade W. Tobin, declined to comment when approached by this news site.
He said there was only one detector and this slowed down the process of entry into the school. It was later disclosed that additional metal detectors would be considered for installation.
This news site was reliably informed that some students were very disgruntled about the new measure and offered opposition to the officers on duty. It was further disclosed that at least two weapons were netted in the first day that the device was installed.
A source close to the security company involved with the installation of the device said, “We are trying to use all preventative measures from having any occurrence of any ‘major’ situations.” The source felt it was a proactive measure and posited that one shouldn’t wait until something happens before coming in “holding your head”.
According to the source, “It has been known in the past that firearms and other things have been recovered on the school premises so we are trying… from a security standpoint at the [ESHS] to ensure that we can minimise as much as we can from avoiding such to happen,”
“We don’t want anybody to hold their head… we know that with every process it takes time, compliance and a lot of situations to deal with but we have to start somewhere… and that is all it is,” the source said.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Dr Marcia Potter could not be reached for comment on the matter.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
35 Responses to “ESHS metal detector blues: security measure drags entry to a crawl”
Answer: Hell No!
Question: Is the security company prepared to train his employees to perform that task?
Answer: Hell No!
Questiion: Who purchased the equipment?
Answer: no comment at this time.
Question: Being that the detector is on the Government's compound like the the gym equipment what "Asset pholio page "number can that be found on?
Answer: no comment at this time .
Question:How much longer will the management treat the students like commodities instead of individuals?
Answer: Stop asking me so much damn question!
Well be late for work watching your child get search then, ups to you. sound like a real @$$$%%^&!! this is the type of ignorance that keeps the bvi and its people behind. what the hell is wrong with kids being searched at school? These are different times!~
then everyone will be disarmed because they are forewarned. FOLKS LET US BE GLAD AND LOOK ON A BRIGHT AND POSITIVE SIDE IT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED NOW AND NOT LATER WHEN EVERYONE MIGHT HAVE BEEN RUNNING ALL OVER BVI AND HOLDING THEIR BELLIES IF A SOMEONE HAD GOTTEN STABBED OR SHOT AT THAT SAME SCHOOL. Yes wondering if it is my son, daughter, grand, or neighbour or l
Just give thanks
I suggest the security company have a good look around the outside perimeter of the school for any discarded weapons that the kids plan to go pick up after school is out!
It may be slow going for a while, but hopefully, those in authority will work out the kinks in the system soon enough.