As a former Alumni, I am baffled, heartbroken, sad, and even angered over the facts concerning the active shooter at Apalachee High School in Winder, GA on September 4, 2024. Colt Gray took the lives of 4 people (2 students and 2 teachers) and injured 9 others. Noting that the students have now been left fearful with PTSD and anxiety. The fact that he was able to get into the school with a gun is absolutely inexcusable and should not have been so easy or possible for him to do so.

I'm writing this petition for a change in the future safety of our community's students, faculty, and staff. I want a change not only for Apalachee High School but all the surrounding schools in Georgia to be able to put metal detectors in the main entrances and have an overall stronger security system put in place. Metal detectors are in about 2% of elementary schools, 7% of middle schools, and 10% of high schools. I also want to add that we provide better mental health services inside the schools, as mental health plays a big role in the actions of others, and there is a mental health crisis in America. 

We should also only allow students to enter or leave through secured entrances, and should a student try to enter another way, they should be immediately questioned by a resource officer to determine if they are a threat to the school. A clear book bag policy should also be implemented for extra precaution. With the added security and safety measures the schools can screen for narcotics and weapons. As well as adding the presence of K9 officers for extra cautionary measures as statistics prove to be approximately 90% effective. K9 officers are trained to seamlessly identify threats and have a quick response; as well as, enhance immediate safety measures. Security risks are ever evolving as more people are gaining access to firearms so it should only be basic rights that the schools evolve with the change. As of September 4, 2024, there have been 45 school shootings and more than 20 schools across the nation have been impacted by gun violence. According to the data curated online by Education Week Apalachee’s school shooting is the 23rd one this year to result in injuries or death. There have been 417 school shootings since 1999 according to post data and more than 383,000 students have experienced gun violence at school since Columbine. Each day 12 children die from gun violence in America, and another 32 are shot and injured; with 1 out of 10 deaths being age 19 or younger. Let's make a difference and change for a better and brighter future. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s research shows that if we “know the signs” of gun violence we can prevent it and reverse the trend. Please help this crisis not only in OUR community but OUR Nation as this is a nationwide problem in the United States of America. Thank you to everyone in the community and to those outside willing to help and show support. 

#BarrowStrong #wearethechee #changeforchee #changeforApalachee #mentalheathmatters #guncontrol #safeschools