The tragic loss of 15-year-old Warren Curtis Grant at Joppatowne High School in Harford County, Maryland has deeply impacted our community. This young student’s life was devastatingly cut short when a gun was discharged during an altercation in a school bathroom. Confronted with this heartbreak, we believe it is crucial to proactively safeguard our students’ futures by strengthening school security across Harford County.

School violence is an alarming issue in the United States. During the 2018-2019 school year, there were approximately 54 million students enrolled in nearly 100,000 public schools, with an estimated 45 incidents of school-associated violent deaths (National Center for Education Statistics). The loss of young lives in school violence incidents is far too frequent, and such tragedies directly affect the safety and well-being of our students.

This tragedy in Harford County comes just days after another fatal school shooting in Georgia, where four individuals were killed. These incidents reflect a national crisis that demands action.

We implore Harford County education authorities and local policymakers to implement metal detectors and enhance security protocols in all schools to prevent future tragedies.

In addition to metal detectors, we propose having trained security staff and onsite mental health professionals for early intervention and student support. Implementing school uniforms and clear backpacks can further promote a safer, more transparent environment. We also recommend doubling the number of School Safety Liaisons (SSLs) in each school, as most schools currently only have one, which limits their ability to prevent issues from escalating. These combined measures will create a comprehensive approach to improving school safety.

SSLs build strong relationships with students, often more so than School Resource Officers (SROs), and are trusted to handle safety concerns. Increasing the number of SSLs through state grant funding would provide schools with the added protection they need to prevent future incidents.

As an alternative to metal detectors, weapon-detecting cameras can enhance school safety while reducing costs and entry delays. These AI-powered cameras can scan large areas in real-time, detecting weapons like guns or knives without requiring students to stop for checks. This system can seamlessly integrate with existing security and notify trained personnel instantly, allowing quicker responses. By avoiding bottlenecks at school entrances and cutting down on staffing needs, weapon-detecting cameras offer a cost-effective, less intrusive, and more efficient solution to ensure safety. Baltimore County public schools already uses these cameras according to their comprehensive safety plan on bcps.org.

Finally, we advocate for updated legislation that addresses both school safety and gun violence prevention, ensuring that our schools remain a secure and supportive space for learning.

The physical and emotional safety of our students and staff must be a top priority. It is time to join forces and demand these necessary changes to keep our children safe. We urge you to show your support by signing this petition. Together, we can make our schools safer and honor the victims of school violence.

Funding:

To the Governor of Maryland, Harford County Government, and Harford County Board of Education, we propose funding these security measures through available state and federal safety grants, local government budget allocations, and partnerships with Maryland businesses.

Additionally, we encourage exploring school bond measures and organizing community-led fundraising efforts. By utilizing these diverse funding options, we can collectively ensure the financial backing required to implement these crucial security enhancements across all Harford County schools, creating a safer environment for our students and staff.