Philadelphia School District discusses new safety plan for 2022-23 school year
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Summer vacation is nearing its end for Philadelphia students. The return to classrooms comes as an uptick in gun violence and other safety concerns have parents worried ahead of the first day next Monday.
Kevin Bethel, the chief of school safety for the School District of Philadelphia, says 14 guns were recovered from incidents in or around schools last year.
Bethel says that's a significant increase, but the school district hopes new plans will stop it from becoming a trend this school year.
While kids are soaking up the last few days of summer break, concerns over their safety in schools continue for moms like Tina Lane. She was glad to hear city officials have made student safety a priority.
"I'm really happy about that because I do have three daughters and I'm really crazy about their safety," Lane said, "and I don't want to be freaking out at work about what's going on with my daughter when they're supposed to be in a safe environment."
Through a partnership with city police, the school district is increasing video and physical surveillance around campuses, pouring resources into 129 afterschool programs and expanding to 27 safety zones to include both public and charter schools.
"While we do not want to get into the exact details of the program for tactical purposes," Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said, "suffice to say that students and parents will notice an increase in visibility of officers in and around the zones."
Bethel says security officers inside schools will continue to be unarmed and metal detectors will only be used in high schools.
"Our parents and adults that are engaged with these young people are checking their bags and making sure their children are not taking their guns from their safe," Bethel said.
Regardless of the new efforts, Lane says she'll be taking her own precautions.
"I'm going to just get her an Uber every day," Lane said. "It's OK for her to come home from school every day since it's busy. There's more kids out. But in the morning, there's barely anyone outside."
Officials are also relying on hiring community members to provide patrols along school routes along with the eyes of over 600 school crossing guards to keep students safe this coming year.