Born out of personal concern and a recent string of terrifying terrorist threats to our local elementary schools, I am raising my voice to address an issue that not only affects my children but impacts all children attending schools in California City, California. It is time we adopt measures that can potentially deter such threats and improve safety at our educational institutions.

The simple solution: mandatory school surveillance cameras. They should operate around the clock, covering every nook and cranny of our school buildings. This would not only enable us to keep an eye on everyday activities inside the campus but would also act as a deterrent to any potential threat. In the USA, the installation of security cameras in schools has shown a positive impact on reducing cases of bullying and vandalism (National Educational Welfare Board).

Despite school surveillance cameras being a debated topic, it is important to remind ourselves that at the end of the day, the safety of our children is what matters the most. A study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics showed that during the 2015-2016 school year, 94 percent of public schools in the United States reported using security cameras to monitor their students. This proves that the benefits of such a system are being recognized and taken into account.

To recap, our demand is simple and necessary. All schools within California City, California, should have 24/7 surveillance cameras covering all areas of the school. This would give us peace of mind knowing that our children are being monitored even when we are not physically present.

Please sign this petition, let us protect our children together.