Over the past few years, our community has experienced the paralyzing threat of school violence. Like many others around the nation, we passionately follow the news, read our social media feeds, and skim our newspapers only to find repeated instances of school shootings or threats directed towards schools or school districts. We've painfully accepted that this susceptibility to danger may not fully disappear, but we do believe there are essential measures that can be taken to greatly reduce these risks.

Security Resource Officers (SROs) provide an excellent service, but unfortunately, they cannot be everywhere at once. That's why we're advocating for something more committed and preventative. This petition aims to install metal detectors and conduct security checks for anyone entering school facilities, be it staff, students, or visitors. Furthermore, we are proposing the implementation of a clear bag policy, universally applied to those accessing our education infrastructure.

The National Institute of Justice has stated that comprehensive and layered security approaches in schools are more effective than one single security measure. We believe that the combination of metal detectors, comprehensive security checks, and clear bag policies exemplify this integrated approach to safety.

We are well aware of the scale of the changes we are seeking. But large as they are, they cannot compare to our concern for the safety of Sullivan County's children. It's high time we tighten our defenses against the threats that loom over our schools. It is with your signatures that we can collectively make a difference, use our voices, and urge our local officials to take necessary actions. Please sign this petition. Let's take a step towards ensuring a safer environment for our children.