Jayne Kenneally
The people of Newtown, Connecticut grieve the loss of twenty children and six adults from the school shooting that occurred a year ago from Saturday, December 14, 2013. In a recent article on cnn.com, it states that on Saturday, the town remembers the tragedy that occurred but more importantly, the lives lost. Newtown’s school shooting is the second deadliest to occur in United States history, following Virginia Tech’s in 2007. As the people of Newtown reminisce on those who died, the United States plans to enforce stricter rules and regulations on guns. Not only does the United States plan for a safer nation, Colonie Central High School makes changes so it can be a safer school.
According
to an article on cnn.com, Sandy Hook Elementary School had a new buzzer and
camera system installed in 2012, before the shooting occurred. Adam Lanza, the
perpetrator at Sandy Hook Elementary School, was not buzzed into the school.
Lanza forced his way into the school by shooting through the front entrance.
There
are many security measures that differ at Colonie Central High School from
Sandy Hook Elementary School. At Colonie Central High School, there’s a police
officer on duty every day. The police officer at CCHS is Officer Germaine.
Officer Germaine is on duty at CCHS every day, eight hours a day. He says that
what happened in Connecticut “raised awareness and let us know it could
happen.” Although there is a police officer on duty every day, CCHS does not
have a buzzer system. Anyone can walk through the doors as they please. “So are
we 100% secured?” says Officer Germaine, “No, we’re not” he replies. The school
is going to be getting a buzzer system next year to ensure further safety for
the students. Overall, Colonie Central High School is the only school in the
district that does have a police officer here every day. Officer Germaine does
state that if anyone entered the school with a gun, he would shoot them. He is
a vital part to Colonie Central High School and by him being here every day,
the students feel safe.
The
mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School is something that will go down in
history. The innocent kids and adults
that lost their lives on that day are forever remembered by their families.
With the implementation of stricter gun laws for the United States and the new
buzzer system being installed in CCHS along with Officer Germaine being on duty
every day, the country is aimed toward a safer life for everyone.
