Lafayette schools say campus safety and security is priority
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- Following numerous social media threats, school districts nationwide are taking a firm stand. They've enhanced security measures across school campuses.
Lafayette Parish School System students return on Wednesday. The school district's head of security confirms all LPSS campuses are tightly protected.
The security protocols on all LPSS school campuses include weapons detection systems, outside fencing, secured entrances, school bag policies and school resource officers.
Jared Leblanc is the director of school safety and security for LPSS.
"One of the four pillars for Superintendent Touchet is safety. We have put in an exorbitant amount of resources, money and time into the safety of all of our campuses and all of our sites," Jared said.
Every student will pass through a set of weapons detection systems. At the start of the school day, there are multiple entry points. Afterward, security reduces the entry points down to one.
The detection systems are designed to detect various threats, from mass casualty weapons to electronic devices.
"You can go from a serious setting like the courthouse, where you have to empty everything out of your pockets, to an everyday school setting, to a gym crowd," Leblanc said.
Faculty and staff are trained to operate the system as well. Jared emphasizes that safety hinges on maintaining a level of awareness and deterrents.
"Not only do you have police presence with an armed officer, but now you have a physical screening of every single person who comes on campus," Jared said.
All LPSS school campuses have school resource officers (SRO), who serve as vital partners in providing safety and support to students and staff.