Cross Creek boosts safety measures with metal detectors
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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Parents have been asking for them and it looks like some Richmond County Schools will be getting metal detectors by Oct. 1.
That’s just one of the security measures mentioned at a forum held at Cross Creek High School on Monday to talk about some of the new technology being added in the battle to make our schools safer.
Cross Creek s say kids will soon come to school with a new routine to emphasize school safety after weeks of confiscated weapons and school threats.
“I’m nervous every morning that I drop her off,” says Opal Averhart, a Cross Creek parent.
School officials at Cross Creek are looking to settle parents’ concerns over safety.
“It’s nerve-wracking,” says Cross Creek parent Angel Dawkins. “It’s scary not knowing when you may get that call or that text.”
The school is upping security with metal detectors and soon they’ll have cameras equipped with AI to detect weapons.
“That’s a start, prayerfully, that will deter our students in knowing that you could get caught, you could receive a consequence,” says Averhart.
Threats, weapons get students in trouble in Aiken, Columbia counties
At Columbia Middle School, a letter went home to families on Monday informing them of a knife that was found on campus.
You may have seen letters addressing parents about weapons confiscated and threats to schools over the last few weeks.
It’s a problem not just in Cross Creek and Richmond County but in all the school districts in the area.
Cross Creek’s principle says like other schools they are not taking this lightly.
“You’re under our jurisdiction and we have the right to search you and if we find such an item you will be disciplined according to our code of conduct and you will be turned over to law enforcement as well,” says Cross Creek High School Principal Dr. Laquanda Carpenter.
Parents say it’s a step in the right direction but there’s still more work to be done at the school level and at home.
“It starts at home, teach them the importance of safety, so that when they come to school, those same teachings apply,” says Averhart.
School officials say they hope to roll out the new metal detectors and cameras in the next couple of weeks.
There is no official word on if this will apply to more schools moving forward.
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