INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – John Akers has spent 26 years protecting and serving the community in law enforcement and working as a school resource officer.
But over the years, he said his conversations with the students he works with have changed to keep them safe. One question is often asked: “Will you protect me?”
When asked if it was bad for him, Akers said, “Yes. It takes time for you to go to your office and take a breather and gather yourself.”
School districts in Indiana have increased their security measures since the 1999 Columbine High School shooting. However, Akers feels that there is a great need from his community and others in the country to find the best solution to end all the school problems.
“The answer to the question ‘Why can’t you improve?’ is because you are always changing. That’s why we law enforcement always train, always preparing for what’s next.
In Wayne Township Schools, that preparation is expanding technology and mental health counseling for students. Superintendent Jeff Butts showed the I-Team how to improve the door-to-door system. “A person no longer needs a key, they can click on the device and open the door. One of the things that people often talk about is the touch of a key to open the door. door if there is a situation.”
Butts said his district received a $100,000 grant from the state for school safety resources. But while he said he believes in cameras, sensors, school resource officers and similar measures, Butts said “hardening” schools is not the real answer.
“Hardening schools is not the best use of resources that we have, and it does not provide the greatest increase in safety,” said the superintendent. “The biggest increase in safety is improving things like mental health, school environment, making sure you have anti-bullying resources, making sure students know the way to report and have an adult they feel comfortable reporting.”
According to him, this is the reason why the high school of Ben Davis University and places like it are called the impact period of the school day. The season involves students participating in club activities with a teacher. The club includes many types of activities including crochet, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, an LGBTQ group, a jazz and soul music group, and a photography group. According to him, students stay with the same teacher throughout their high school and the period is used to have these kinds of discussions, where students can seek support or a counselor.
Butts said “this is a great opportunity to develop that relationship and be able to have those conversations. And to have some of the social emotional conversations that we have to have to make sure that good students, they know that they have that person when there is no one else they can go to, and have those conversations, when we have problems. , or the students died in a car accident or some other situation, we have teams and unfortunately, we are very good at assembling our teams to make sure that we can deliver those domestic support.”
However, with the additional grant money, Butts said, there is still room for more resources.
“Humanity is the most important part and probably one of the biggest challenges,” he said. “We have to be very organized and have a long way to go in how we want to handle school safety. … There were things you didn’t see (when you walked into the building) ) and you don’t know when you see it.”
In the city of Indianapolis, the George and Veronica Phalen Leadership Academy, is also in a similar situation. Principal Javaris Carrion said people come to the school and see “this is colorful, and they’re like, ‘This is great.
From the hallways to the classrooms, the school is a burst of colorful emotions filled with artwork from students and teachers. Carrion said teachers are often encouraged to decorate their classrooms to inspire joy so that their children remember joy over fear.
The school reviews its safety once a quarter, and the principal said “we’re always looking. There might not be a lot of changes every quarter, but it’s just a process of looking to make sure that our homes safe.
Parents can come for a tour and “be able to look around and see that there is visibility in every classroom and every hallway,” Carrion said.
However, regardless of district or situation, these three men say they are burdened with the same concerns for their students.
“It tugs at your heartstrings,” Carrion said. “It’s a daily reminder to just keep pushing for what’s right.”
These three men ask themselves how they will respond when it comes to their lives or their students.
The principal of Wayne Township Schools said, “I thought just like a superintendent, and a superintendent, if I was in that position (a mass shooting), the truth is, the if the emergency manager orders anyone to take charge, it’s my duty to keep the children safe, and if that means putting myself in harm’s way, then I’m ready to do that. “
When asked how people overcome the fear of what might happen, Akers said, “I don’t know. I don’t have a solid answer. for that. What I can say is that police officers love the job and chose this job,” said Akers. “We run in fear, we run in fire, we run in chaos. If that’s not what you’re ready to do, it’s going to be difficult.”
© 2022 Circle City Broadcasting I, LLC. | All Rights Reserved.
