Judge Permits Gateway School District To Arm Guards
MONROEVILLE, Pa. (KDKA/AP) - A western Pennsylvania judge has agreed to allow an Allegheny County school district to arm its 13-officer security team.
Gateway School District's second petition to allow its new police force to carry firearms and issue citations on school property was approved this week in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.
"I think the biggest thing is, when we look at the events that have occurred, we found that schools are not safe, unfortunately, is the sad reality of it," Gateway School Board member Chad Stubenbort said. "When we had seven schools and only two were covered with armed individuals, we felt it was our duty to make sure we were providing the best coverage that we could."
The Monroeville district's first request was denied. While that ruling was being appealed, district officials submitted an amended petition that was ultimately approved.
Revisions included the elimination of language giving security guards arresting power. A Gateway school board member says the district is still "actively appealing" the first ruling.
The 13 guards are all retired police officers already on the district's payroll.
Nine part-time officers were sworn in by the local magistrate Wednesday afternoon.
"We're here because of this day and age. We get called for this type of thing, "Ofc. Jonathan Pawlowski said. "We're here for their protection, as well as the faculty and staff."
The Gateway School District will have armed officers in all of its seven school buildings.
"I don't think it's necessary here at our school, but I do see the reason behind it with all the problems they've had at other schools," parent Christine Sterner said.
"I'm happy that our children are going to be safe," parent Erica Schmidt said. "I'm happy that there are more actions being taken to keep our kids safe while in school."
"I would trust them, I certainly do appreciate the police officers," parent Melvin Fallin said, "and I think that they're doing their best to keep our children safe."
Many in the crowd at the Gateway High School gymnasium Wednesday night may not have noticed that this was Day One of tightened security in the school district.
Reaction to the idea of arming security staff on school property is mixed.
"I felt safe before they were armed, but, now that they're armed I guess it helps a little bit more," sophomore Julia D'Alicandro said.
Her mother, Gina D'Alicandro, told KDKA-TV's Ralph Iannotti, "I didn't feel unsafe before, but I'm not opposed to this at all. I think it's not a bad idea."
Patty Smith, of Monroeville, disagreed.
"I don't think we need guns in school, this is not a dangerous school district," Smith said, "and I think you're giving out the message that these schools are not safe."
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