Campus security has been a hot topic lately all around the country. We hear it in the news and we hear it around school. Some say that campus security as a whole needs to be strengthened, while others say it is mighty fine the way it is.

However, the security here at Perry has come a long way over the years.

“It’s changed a little bit. We have gotten tighter and more serious,” six year security guard veteran Kelly Pechloff says.

Even though there have been small changes such as additional guards, more cameras and more locked gates, there are still some improvements that need to be made.

The campus at Perry has multiple ways of entry. There are a total of five main gates that are accessible to students all day and a few doors that are located in the administration office, auditorium, gym and C-building. According to Pechloff, students are able to walk through the gates on each end of the F-building but cannot access the gates on either side of the C-building. All four of these points are extremely vulnerable places for a possible incident to take place.

For example, during first hour the gates next to the C-building are wide open, offering anyone to enter. On most days, there is not a security guard in sight of these inviting doorways. Any person can just walk straight past these gates and walk into any building they desire. This person could be a student late to class, a faculty member or even someone that is out to harm others.

Another example of a hole in security is the main doors to the administration office. The doors are unlocked, allowing anyone to enter and walk right on the campus. Most of the time it is parents coming to pick up their kid or an arranged meeting, but there is a risk of an intruder. In the weeks after Sandy Hook, a security guard was staffed at the front desk.

PHS security is staffed by hard working individuals, no doubt, but the school seems to be focused more on student activity rather than securing the safety of the students from outside threats.