INDIANAPOLIS – U.S. Congressman Luke Messer (R-6) says the federal government could be doing more to keep your kids safe at school, especially when there are risks of terror attacks at any given time or place.
He’s introducing new legislation that would increase safety beyond the measures already taken at Indiana schools.
Most schools already have secure doors (you must be buzzed in), full-time police officers and security cameras.
But the National Strategy for School Security Act of 2016 would bring the departments of Homeland Security and Education together to create a formal plan for how schools can protect themselves from terrorist attacks.
Having the feds share security ideas isn’t something that happens currently, according to Messer.
“They would be a great asset to local schools as they work to put together a plan,” Messer said. “What our legislation is designed to do is to help make sure that’s better coordinated. So the schools are working hard, they’re voluntarily implementing their own plans, (and) this asks the federal government to meet them halfway.”
Beech Grove City Schools Superintendent Dr. Paul Kaiser says his district is behind protecting kids, but is concerned about how it will get done.
“Most schools – we don’t have bulletproof windows on the outside of our buildings,” Dr. Kaiser said. “If we need some assistance, it’s resources to do that. And that takes a lot of dollars and a lot of time.”
We’ll be keeping an eye on the legislation as it goes to committee once congress is back in session after Labor Day.
