Fairfax Country School Board will vote on the use of surveillance cameras inside its schools on Dec. 15.
If passed, school principals will possess the authority to install surveillance cameras around the school to monitor students.
According to the Washington Post, the issue sparked last spring after two major food fights erupted at Robert E. Lee and Centerville high schools. The fight at Robert E. Lee ended with hundreds of students rushing the exits, while Centerville’s resulted in two hyperventilating students and the need to call 911.
The pandemonium prompted 27 Fairfax County principals, including Principal Bruce Butler, to approach the school board and request indoor surveillance.
“We felt having cameras in public areas, like cafeterias, gym lobbies, and locker bays, could increase safety and accountability in these areas,” said Butler.
Ideally, Butler would like to have a camera in the cafeteria and each of the four locker bays, which would help the school catch culprits after a food fight or a theft.
The Fairfax Times says cafeteria cameras alone would cost about $8,000 and an estimated $885,000 to install in every school. Butler says South Lakes would pay for the cameras using rent money generated from the mono poles, also known as cell phone towers, near the football field.
Officer Scott Bacon sees the security value in cameras. Bacon feels locker bay cameras would also defer a lot of uncertainty surrounding thefts.
“I would like to have them because it would increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the security department,” said Bacon. “We can’t be everywhere at once. If we catch them in the act, there would be no argument about who did it.”
Head of security Brian Elliott believes that with the number of small electronics today, cameras could help.
“I think it’s a good idea because it will help protect the students who come to school do what their supposed to do and have their stuff stolen” said Elliot.
In the occurrence of theft, footage would be reviewed from the last time the individual saw their item until they came to the security staff.
Freshman Abby Fine, who recently had her brand new iPhone, North Face jacket, and headphones stolen from her main locker, thinks that the surveillance cameras would be tools to catch perpetrators.
“I think the cameras would be helpful because there have been so many thefts lately,” said Fine. “If there were cameras maybe I would have gotten my stuff back.”
Some students, such as senior Tahagod Mohamed, feel uncomfortable at the thought of the cameras.
“I would be creeped out because I’d think someone was watching me all the time, even if I’m not doing anything bad,” said Mohamed.
However, Elliott assures that the cameras would not be installed in bathrooms or other private areas.
“This is a public place, there’s not an expectation of privacy where cameras will be,” said Elliott.
Update: On Dec. 15 the FCPS school board approved indoor surveillance cameras.
Click the following links for more information.
http://live.washingtonpost.com/high-school-students-rights-121611.html
