She Has A Point

Talked to Mom this evening about the local situation. There are few details, of course, but the train station is where the students from my high school go to congregate and to get back and forth. And the reports have indicated that it was all young people that were involved. Could some of them be associated with Hayward High?? I still live close to my old high school (and, consequently, close to work) and, consequently, close to the train station. Was that last sentence awkward??

Anyway, so she asked whether we had metal detectors. The answer was no. How many security guards are there? Only 3, two fewer than at the beginning of the school year. How many different ways onto campus? Nine entrances that students and staff use, because the place is sprawling and giant. Add to that the general atmosphere of loitering in the bathrooms, hallways, woods, parking lots and football field and we agreed that Hayward High is an easy target for a Columbine-style attack. Or, more likely, retaliation from someone tied to the shooting at the train station.  She said that since there were metal detectors everywhere else, why shouldn’t they be at schools…and she does have a point.  We’re talking about a campus that has been around since the 50’s. Schools have changed since then and perhaps the facilities and protocols need to keep up.  Typical parental worry, yes.  But it’s always a possibility that shit could happen.