Carmel schools boost security measures

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) - The next time you visit Carmel High School, expect some changes if you want to get in.

Those new changes include two new security features. School officials said it's all to keep students and staff safe.

If you've ever visited Carmel High School, chances are you entered through door No. 1 and signed a security log. Now that security log is gone, replaced with a new high-tech security system.

"This is a system of deterrence," said Dr. Steve Dillon, director of student services. He said visitors must now enter through doors 2, 4 and 13.

"You'll actually have to buzz in, be identified and be allowed to come into the building," he said.

And once you’re in, there's a second security feature in place called School Gate Guardian.

"It lets us know if the person standing in front of us on the sex offenders database," Dillon said.

The system works fast. You give the secretary your driver’s license or state identification card, and it's checked with the national sex offenders data base. If your information comes back with red flags, school officials and police are altered via text or e-mail before you can enter the rest of the building.

"We don't want any adults roaming the hallways of our buildings that we don't feel are safe and secure to be here," Dillon said.

He said the system gives them the ability to manage and control who's in the building at any time and day.

"We don't want to catch anybody. We just don't want them to come to our schools and try to get in," he said.

If you clear the security checks, a badge is printed and you're allowed to enter the school.

“Our goal is to provide a safe and secure environment for all of our students, and we want our parents to know when they send their kids to our schools that they're going to be safe,” said Tricia Reynolds, Carmel schools community relations.

Dillon said there's a yearly ongoing cost to maintain the system, and he feels it's money well spent to make sure they're all safe. He said if everything goes well, they hope to have the system installed at all of Carmel Clay Schools by the beginning of August.