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Hartdford Courant

Officials: School Cameras Effective

They Help Solve High School Thefts

By ANN MARIE SOMMA
Courant Staff Writer

October 17, 2006

WETHERSFIELD -- The security cameras installed at Wethersfield High School have helped staff resolve student conflicts and deter vandalism and bullying, school officials say.

Since April, 43 security cameras have been installed throughout the school's five floors and parking lots.

"We've had thefts we've been able to solve," Wethersfield Principal Thomas Moore said. "They have been very helpful because we can go back and rewind the disc to see what happened in the day or the previous day."

The decision to purchase the security cameras was spurred by an incident in January in which a 15-year-old male student was charged with kidnapping a 14-year-old female student from school at knife-point.

Anne Ricco, a parent with the Parent Teacher Student Association, said parents lobbied the board of education after the incident to improve security measures at the school.

"The board of education acted on it immediately, and we are very happy with what they have done," Ricco said.

The cameras are among several security measures the school has taken in the last six months. Some safety procedures include locking all doors during school hours and requiring photo identification for visitors. The school has always had a police resource officer on school grounds.

Moore said the main entrance to the high school has been enclosed, and visitors must now sign in and leave a form of personal identification before entering the building.

"In the past we knew when someone entered the building, but we never knew when they left," Moore said.

Moore said the school is in the process of changing door locks and replacing them with swipe cards for staff to limit where and when someone can enter the building.

The school has also changed its student parking rules. Students must display parking passes in order to park on school grounds.

"Given the climate in schools in the state and country, it was an opportune time to look at what we can do to improve safety," Moore said.

Contact Ann Marie Somma at asomma@courant.com.

Copyright 2006, Hartford Courant


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