Wednesday, April 07, 1999
Cameras 'watch' school halls
Little Miami hopes they add security
BY MIRIAM SMITH
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MORROW — Video cameras are now capturing how Little Miami High School students behave in the hallways and cafeteria.
It's part of a growing statewide trend to use surveillance cameras to ensure safety and discourage criminal activity in and around school buildings, officials say.
Last month, eight video cameras were installed in Little Miami's hallway and cafeteria, which district officials hope will increase school security.
Principal Robert Bixler said no single incident spurred the installation of the cameras, which operate 24 hours a day. But he said there has been concern about unauthorized people coming into the building after hours.
He said he hopes the cameras also will cut down on horseplay in the hallways.
“It's also a chance to say that drug deals are not occur ring at school,” he said. “I think this gives notice that we are watching, we can monitor this, and they're (drugs) not to be brought to school.”
No one is assigned to monitor the video cameras, but TV screens are visible in the front office.
“It's nothing more than to address the kinds of things people are talking about across the country,” Mr. Bixler said. “We're making sure we're as safe, secure and proactive as possible.”
Superintendent Michael Virelli said he authorized the district to spend $4,000 to purchase the cameras.
“You've got to maintain that safe school environment where learning can take place,” Mr. Virelli said. “This is an outgrowth of where we are in society today.”
The district also is trying to protect “taxpayers' assets,” because of the amount of computer equipment in the school, as well as prevent vandalism, he said.
“Once they know security cameras are up, chances of that happening hopefully will be reduced,” Mr. Virelli said.
Morrow Police Chief Russell Kilburn said he has not heard of any problems reported at the high school this year.
Little Miami junior Brittany Carmack, 16, said while the cameras may limit privacy, “I think it's good because it re duces the fighting in the school.”
Her sister, senior Tiffany, 18, said students are a lot more cautious since the cameras have been installed.
“I think it's a good thing, but then again, it's scary,” she said.
It's not uncommon for rural and suburban districts to use surveillance cameras in and around school property, said Emmett Bobbitt, educational consultant with the Safe and Drug Free Schools section of the Ohio Department of Edu cation.
“I think schools are looking at it from a prevention standpoint,” Mr. Bobbitt said. “I think it's good for them to be in a prevention mode, rather than a reaction mode.”
But Gino Scarselli, associate legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, said surveillance in schools should be a concern.
“It's a pity, just because technology's available government decides to use it without any good reason,” he said.
As many as 60 schools have security cameras in and around school property in the Cincinnati Public Schools, said Bob Morgan, CPS security chief.
The cameras have been “extremely effective” in addressing safety issues, he said.
“Most of the reaction we've had has been pretty positive,” Mr. Morgan said. “Initially, there was some concern of Big Brother watching me, that kind of thing. Once students realized it's being done for their own well being, to make the place a safer place ... I think it's gone over quite well.”
Last fall, two teens were arrested after a school security camera captured them in Bramble Developmental Academy in Madisonville when a fire broke out there.
Kings Local Schools in Warren County uses video cameras in the parking and bus loading areas, said district spokeswoman Linda Oda. The district also has used video cameras to investigate allegations of employee misconduct, she said.
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