This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the pilot program now expanding to all public schools whereby bulletproof vests are being provided to all school safety agents.

 

“I think it’s a good idea. I don’t think it’s really a dangerous job. It would be better if they all had metal detectors. Now, down south, they want to give teachers guns; that’s kind of tricky.”

Angel Caraballo,

Norwood

“I haven’t heard about the pilot program. I’d say investing in prevention of intrusions of dangerous people coming into schools [is needed]. Of course, they should have metal detectors; I thought they all had them by now. That’s for sure, and good people for security. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Henry Kelly,

Woodlawn Heights

“I’ll be honest; they should get it because of all the mass shootings in schools and things of that nature, so they really should get bulletproof vests. The teachers should get them too, the children also. That’s my take on it. I think they should arm the teachers.”

Matthew Brown,

Wakefield

 

“I graduated last year, and I did not hear about it. I feel it’s good because now they are safer. They have more protection. That’s what the security guards are there for. My school did have metal detectors. There were no reports of guns coming in. I don’t mind if teachers [are] armed if that’s what they need to do. I really don’t care either way if you need to carry a gun in school. It’s like sometimes the students get a little crazy; they’ll bring a weapon, or someone from the outside can come in and start shooting up the school.”

Lisandro Santana,

Allerton

 

“I heard about the pilot program. Basically, I feel it’s very unnecessary because the kids don’t need to bring weapons to school. They’re there to learn; that’s it. People bring weapons for different reasons……protection……they feel scared. Some people get bullied in school. There’s a lot of reasons, but it shouldn’t be necessary. They’re there to learn and get a degree.”

Clarence Dillard,

Red Hook, Brooklyn visiting Belmont

 

Editor’s Note: Check out some of our previous coverage from the perspective of students on the general topic of school safety agents here, as well as some other reporting here, here, here, here, here, and here.