School officials believe security cameras a success

Garth Meyer | Nov 15, 20120

Colfax High School is now into its first full school year with cameras monitoring students in common areas of the building. Supt. Michael Morgan and Principal Buck Marsh, who joined the district staff this year, report they believe the experiment has been positive.

“We've been able to follow up on some discipline issues,” said Morgan. He pointed out the cameras have saved time in investigations because administrators can refer to the tapes without dealing with “he said, she said” situations.

“That we're not wasting a lot of time investigating has been an advantage. Our main goal for the cameras is to be a deterrent,” he explained.

Two cameras with four lenses each were installed in May at a cost of $4,649 from the district's capital projects fund.

One camera is on the outside of the building facing the north parking lot, including the exit doors. The other camera is in the main foyer of the school.

The cameras were used earlier this fall for an investigation into an incident in the parking lot regarding a verbal assault on a staff member.

The cameras have no audio. Nonetheless, the footage has been given to the police in the matter which may be prosecuted as criminal.

The cameras are not actively monitored.

“We only go back and look at the tapes if something is reported that we need to look at,” Morgan explained.

The only problem with either camera so far has been a tree that is blocking the view of the parking lot camera. The tree has been pruned but may need to be moved, said Morgan.

The obstruction affects the angle toward the parking lot, while the angle to the locker room exits is clear.

The cameras were initially installed after a free trial the school opted for after a series of thefts from the locker rooms.

“I have not heard of any reports of theft in the locker rooms (this year),” said Morgan.

The superintendent said he would be interested in getting more cameras as funds allow.

“I think the idea of installing more cameras would be an advantage for us, but we're not seeing an improvement in funding through the state yet.”

Morgan advocated adding one new one at a time, he said, beginning with one for the back playground area at Jennings Elementary and one for the southside of the high school.

“I think the ones we have are doing what they were intended for, being a deterrent,” said Morgan.

Marsh came from a district with 16 cameras at the high school building.

“They're a valuable tool in maintaining a safe, supportive learning environment,” he said.