Indiana School Where Slashing Occurred Not to Get Metal Detectors

    Aug. 22, 2005
    Security consultant says school didn't need expensive 'tangible signs' of security

    VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) - Officials have decided against putting metal detectors in the school where seven high school students were slashed by a classmate armed with a machete.

    A study commissioned after the November attack at Valparaiso High School said metal detectors are not needed

    "Too often, parents understandably feel the need to have some visible, tangible signs of 'heightened security' after a high-profile incident of school violence," the report by consultant Ken Trump said. "While this is understandable, knee-jerk responses made for the purpose of making parents and others 'feel' safer do not actually equate to schools 'being' safer."

    Michael Benway, superintendent of Valparaiso schools, said metal detectors were too expensive and do not always stop weapons from getting into schools.

    Instead, the school system plans to install more surveillance cameras and link them to the Valparaiso Police Department's monitoring station. The district also plans to have police officers patrol the high school and is creating a $20,000 automated telephone system to notify parents in case of emergency.

    Staff members at the school will be trained to recognize problems such as substance abuse and symptoms of mental illness, he said.