Security protocols are being enforced now more than ever here at Parkdale High School. It brings an extra sense of safety as well as long lines and undeserved tardies.
Since the first day of school, it became clear that the security protocols that were implemented last year are stricter than ever. Long lines were wrapping towards the back of the school, taking at least 20 minutes to even get to the entrance of the school.
The reason for these long lines is that the sensitivity of the metal detectors has been increased, so even now your airpods can set them off.
This causes an extra five minutes, in addition to the 20 minutes that it took to get there, to walk back and forth through the detector and then to search for your bag.
Too many students, if they arrive at 7:10 am, they won’t actually be inside the school until 7:35 am, and to some teachers, that will automatically be an unlawful tardy even if they arrive on time.
Students also have to go through the whole security process again when they enter from their temp classes. Five minutes to come back in is not enough to transition from one class to another. Junior Samantha Eury shares “It takes roughly 10 minutes to come back into the building from the temps.” Eury continues saying, “A lot of teachers don’t excuse us for being late even if it’s not our fault.”
Furthermore, non-clear purses or little bags are no longer allowed unless inside it is clear. This is not aligned with the PGCPS policy which states that lunch bags, pouches, wallets, and handbags are not required to be clear. (PGCPS Website)
Not allowing non-clear purses violates privacy. Eury states, “With the metal detectors comes a lack of privacy, we are required to have clear bags exposing our belongings.”
Then there are the door alarms, installed last year on every single exit. It was meant to catch those students who would leave the school during class, sounding a loud alarm each time someone used an exit.
These loud ringing alarms have just become another nuisance during class. Almost every 20 minutes, you hear the alarm go off, interrupting class time and usually there is nothing done about it. Even if security went towards the alarm, class is again interrupted by the yelling and the deafening whistle they use.
These security measures have become incredible annoyances, but some would argue that they are all necessary.
According to the U.S. News, there have been 45 school shooting incidents from 2018-2023 in Maryland alone. Then in PG county, the 2022-2023 school year, there have been 590 suspensions and expulsions because of weapons being brought into the school. (Maryland Suspensions and Expulsions).
With all these incidents across the county and state, having stronger security policies is the best way to create a safer learning environment. This is the only way they are able to efficiently check every student to make sure there are no weapons or anything that will harm their peers.
However, so far, airport security has become an annoyance for students. Being late for class in the morning because of the long line and being yelled at by the security, these factors have made school an even more of a dread to come to, creating a more negative environment.
Junior Jonathan Fuentes says, “I feel the security is okay but it feels that it’s just there to make people feel safe instead of actually being safe.” Fuentes continues saying. “It is a major pain going back through security, it is annoying going through the process in general.” He adds.
In recent weeks, both students and security have been adapting to the new measures which caused faster lines in the mornings, but the fact remains that a negative mental environment is still being created. Fuentes shares, “The security stuff is a bit too much and needs to be worked on a bit to make a safe environment, but not to the point where they see everyone as a threat for no reason.”
The school should account for the mental well-being of students just as much as their physical well-being. Not making every student feel that they are doing something wrong each and every day just for making small mistakes during the security process.
Schools should not trade mental health for safety or vice-versa. Students should come to school not fearing for their safety nor their sanity.
