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Martinez Schools Lock Classroom Doors

The district is implementing a series of safety measures in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre in Newtown, Conn.

Classroom doors will now be locked during the day in all Martinez Unified School District schools, one of several measures being enacted as a result of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in December.

MUSD Superintendent Rami Muth said that the locked-door policy is one result of a meeting between the district and the Martinez police to review ways to make campuses safer.

“We realize that some of these changes may be inconvenient,” Muth said, “but we feel that these recommendations will help to increase the level of safety and security on our campuses.”

Doors will be locked during all class times, except for multi-use rooms and the library, she said.

“We recognize that a locked door is not going to prevent violence in our schools,” Muth said. “The police department discussed with us ways to slow or stop an intruder on campus, and a locked door is one method of doing so. School safety is a complex issue and we are looking at many different vantage points in addressing some of the concerns that have been raised as a result of the Sandy Hook tragedy.”

Other steps the district is taking include:

Reviewing emergency response plans and rehearsing them with staff and students, including drills at the end of January;

Requiring every visitor to sign in at the office and wear a visitor’s pass.

She said the district will also reprioritize some projects planned with Measure K funds to consider the purchase of security cameras and special locks. The police department also hopes to reinstate the school safety officer in the near future.

Do you think locked classroom doors are a good safety measure? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Josh Goldman January 10, 2013 at 05:05 am
Every campus should have 2 or 3 armed teachers. That way, someone will be able to stop a bad guy who starts shooting. If Sandy Hook teachers had guns, they could have cut their losses and some kids would be alive today.
Cheryll January 10, 2013 at 11:39 am
Armed teacher?? No kidding. These are the people the taxpayers dont want to give pensions to fo petes sake. What the heck do pepole WANT for their stupid tax $ anymore. Yes, lock the doors and office restictions on visitors. That is the right thing to do. Possibly have panic buttons in the school rooms that alert police like banks have. Arming teachers is rediculous an over kill, no pun intended.
WW January 10, 2013 at 11:59 am
I agree with Cheryll!! No armed teachers!
Kathy D January 10, 2013 at 03:08 pm
Locked classrooms is good. Register at the office to visit the campus - also good. Of course, a person determined to cause harm would not do that, I like the "panic button" idea. Armed teachers is going a bit too far.
Rick January 10, 2013 at 05:26 pm
I wouldn't want to arm teachers that aren't familiar with guns, but those that wish to carry one should be allowed. At least have one person at each school ready to stop a madman.
Dive Turn Work January 10, 2013 at 05:43 pm
Which ones would you arm? The ones that molest students? The ones that have a drinking problem? The ones that struggle with a drug problem? The suicidal ones? The simple "wish to carry one" is not nearly enough to warrant allowing them to have one.
gina millar January 10, 2013 at 06:10 pm
I would hope that this event would bring schools to look at becoming completely fenced in and all gates locked during school. The fact that anyone at any time can jsut walk into our schools is ridiculous.
julie mazzamuto January 10, 2013 at 06:23 pm
There are so many unemployed veterans, why couldn't they be employed?
Cheryll January 10, 2013 at 06:32 pm
I think most schools (at least elementary schools) are surrounded by fencing. Yes that is absolutely necessary.
Cheryll January 10, 2013 at 06:32 pm
Great idea! Although careful screening would be im order..
Chris J Kapsalis January 10, 2013 at 06:37 pm
Yes careful Screening. Timothy McVey was a decorated gulf war vet who killled 19 kids and hundreds of people in Oklahoma.
Dive Turn Work January 11, 2013 at 02:20 am
Lock the doors, lower the blinds, fire up the smoke machine and put on your heels.
Concerned Parent January 11, 2013 at 11:13 am
Class Rooms locked and panic buttons I am down for maybe the schools can have some sort of fundraiser to find the money to pay for panic buttons but armed Teachers WRONG in every sense of the word just saying......
Josh Goldman January 11, 2013 at 12:26 pm
Run and hide under your desk no longer works when a killer comes in shooting. We need a new solution, and NOW.
There needs to be someone to stop the threat. The principal at Sandy Hook tried to stop the gunman with her bare hands. That didnt work as she was gunned down. If the principal, or any teacher had a gun, they would at least have a chance to shoot back and more kids would be alive today. But no, the uneducated bleeding heart liberals don't want guns in schools. Now liberals are to blame!!
Josh Goldman January 11, 2013 at 12:29 pm
How does Israel solve this problem with terrorists always trying to kill children? We must learn from the Jews.
I noticed that just about ALL Catholic schools are locked (many other private schools too) so a stranger cannot just walk in onto campus.
Cheryll January 11, 2013 at 01:24 pm
How would a teacher have a gun, and have it secure enough to not be accessed by a tudent, and still be able tyo grab it in a spit second? Cannot be done. ALthough maybe some less leathal defense would be worth a look, like pepper spray with a trigger that only the teacher knows how to activate. What about fire extinguishers within reach in each classroom? I fire extinguisher will stop an assailant I guarentee you. Messy but effective and no additional risk to life of the children in the room. Probably 80% effective which is better than nothing.
Chris J Kapsalis January 11, 2013 at 02:14 pm
There are 7 million or so teachers in the US, all it would take is for one to go nuts. Bad idea. wow. Not all teachers should even be teachers, let alone pack a gun around.
Chris J Kapsalis January 11, 2013 at 02:28 pm
I don't think a fire exttinguisher would be that effective. Not if they came in blasting or if it was not within reach, or that the gunman backed up or went to another classroom. And assuming the teaxcher would keep their cool etc. I would guess 10% at best. Those extra lock devices I seen other school districts have now are a good idea, because a gun can blast through a lock easy.
Cheryll January 11, 2013 at 02:41 pm
The problem is the NRA and their supporters have come out with their typical talking points about gun rights. This is not about gun rights, it's about eliminating arms that are weapons of mass destruction used by terrorists. We have to win THAT discussion, which is right and reasonable, and right and reasonable has never been the message of the NRA. Guns in the classroom are also not right or reasonable. ALL other options that ARE right and reasonable no matter the percentage of effectiveness you think one thing is over another should be part of the answer. The terrorist is never predictable as to his methods so we have avail ourselves of ALL right and reasonable options so the teachers and administrators have MANY options available to them. Thats right, hiding under the desk can't be the only option anymore, because we are responding to lunatics with automatic weapons equal to those that are used to overtake governments in other places of the world.
Emily Henry (Editor) January 11, 2013 at 06:25 pm
Thank you to those who have contributed thoughtful comments in this thread. Any comments that include personal attacks or inappropriate content will be removed. Let's aim for a civil, on topic and productive conversation. Thank you.
morning glory January 12, 2013 at 10:16 am
sorry buy anyone that ends a sentence with "Just Saying" loses all credibility
morning glory January 12, 2013 at 10:21 am
How about mom's staying home. Dad's going to work. Not divorcing just because your "not in love" anymore. How about not MEDICATING so many children. I think as a country we need to focus on prevention first. If a person choses to have a child that person should be mature enough to know that with parenting comes sacrafice.
Dive Turn Work January 12, 2013 at 10:37 am
So much stupidity all rolled up into one comment. How convenient.
Dive Turn Work January 12, 2013 at 10:43 am
Do try to remember that there's a difference between criticizing a comment and criticizing a person individually. But, considering how poorly and inconsistently Patch moderates its comments the acceptable standards are a moving target.
Josh Goldman January 12, 2013 at 01:21 pm
The type of person who would be chosen to carry a gun on school grounds:
1. Former gun carrying past (ex-military, ex-cop, ex-security, hunters, etc.) 2. Complete background check 3. Must pass a written and shooting test after being trained 4. Must pass a shooting test every 6 months 5. Must carry gun at all times on their body, preferably undercover
Josh Goldman January 12, 2013 at 01:28 pm
There was just another event yesterday where a kid brought a shotgun to school, intending to murder other kids. Luckily, a "silver-tongued" teacher was able to talk the student out of it. Of course, every teacher should try to talk the killer out of it, if applicable. But what if there is to chance to have a nice heart to heart chat? What if the killer barges in and in seconds is firing everywhere? Someone must be there to stop the killer in his tracks and now allow him to continue his killing spree.
Arm 2-3 teachers. Some schools have already taken action to protect their children. Other more liberal schools who hate everything about the NRA (it's their lifelong war against them) will use this school issue to further their political agenda at the expense of children's lives. If I were a parent coming in to a new school district, I would look for the most secure campus to ensure the safety of my child. Private schools are well aware of this fact as they have much tighter security than public schools. Just look at all the school shootings. Were they at public or private schools? The killer will always choose a soft easy target in which she will be successful in her murders.
Frank Kastl February 22, 2013 at 03:48 pm
Having a closed campus is always needed and there should be a security camera system at entrances with someone trained on monitiring it while school is in session. Since Martinez Adult School conducts the Reserve Police Officer Academy, perhaps some of the students would be good candidates to man the cameras as they continue to learn more about the police system and eventually become reserve police officers. They would be a sort of non-contact security officer where they could observe and report to others, such as the police. Perhaps it is something that can be woven into the Police Courses for students of the police program for credit and practical experience. And of course, simply having the video cameras may be some sort of deterrant alone. But simply having the trained eye checking things is a big step over most schools. Heck- there may even be a grant available.

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margot bray May 31, 2013 at 03:18 pm
Silly me, I was hoping for news about Beavers and Otter's around Martinez waterway's. I look forwardRead More to that.
Randall Hopper May 29, 2013 at 10:02 am
Paint the railroad trestle that crosses Alhambra. It's an eyesore.
margot bray May 29, 2013 at 01:28 pm
I agree, but the money is going to other places...whatever they are.