2008 Woodie Awards
Guns on campus
Piedmont in talks to have campus police officers armed
by Mallory Dumas
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: News
"On a personal level, it is a lot more comfortable not to carry guns," says Dick Martin, Piedmont campus police chief. "However, students may feel more comfortable with us having them."
Martin says there's talk of having an armed officer on duty at Piedmont. If the plan goes through, there will be two officers on duty at all times, one certified officer with a gun and one security officer.
"Many of our campus officers are currently certified law enforcement who work both jobs," says Martin.
All campus police officers stopped carry guns eight years ago because of a decision made by the board of trustees.
Some students do not feel the need to guns to stay safe on campus.
"It's scary to think that people could have access to guns," says freshman Valarie Garrin. "Habersham County is not that dangerous, so there's no need for students to have them. I feel safer knowing that students aren't allowed to have guns."
The school shooting at Northern Illinois University last week is one of dozens from the last decade.
"Colleges are different than other schools," says John Peters, Illinois college president. "It is always open; you can't lock all the doors."
During a school shooting, all Piedmont would have is a phone tree notification system, says Martin. The school depends on the local law enforcement to react quickly.
"There is really no solution," says Martin. "No one has come up with a way to check mental health records."
Piedmont counselor, Kel Lee Cutrell, says it's important to be aware of students' changes is behavior. Grades dropping and losing interest in normal activities are signs of a bigger problem.
Cutrell says that if she has any concerns about students on campus, she first notifies Drew Davis, dean of student affairs. Davis then contacts Piedmont president, Ray Cleere.
"Depending on the issue, campus security might be involved," says Cutrell. "We don't want to assume anything, but we also don't want to overlook potential danger."
Martin says there's talk of having an armed officer on duty at Piedmont. If the plan goes through, there will be two officers on duty at all times, one certified officer with a gun and one security officer.
"Many of our campus officers are currently certified law enforcement who work both jobs," says Martin.
All campus police officers stopped carry guns eight years ago because of a decision made by the board of trustees.
Some students do not feel the need to guns to stay safe on campus.
"It's scary to think that people could have access to guns," says freshman Valarie Garrin. "Habersham County is not that dangerous, so there's no need for students to have them. I feel safer knowing that students aren't allowed to have guns."
The school shooting at Northern Illinois University last week is one of dozens from the last decade.
"Colleges are different than other schools," says John Peters, Illinois college president. "It is always open; you can't lock all the doors."
During a school shooting, all Piedmont would have is a phone tree notification system, says Martin. The school depends on the local law enforcement to react quickly.
"There is really no solution," says Martin. "No one has come up with a way to check mental health records."
Piedmont counselor, Kel Lee Cutrell, says it's important to be aware of students' changes is behavior. Grades dropping and losing interest in normal activities are signs of a bigger problem.
Cutrell says that if she has any concerns about students on campus, she first notifies Drew Davis, dean of student affairs. Davis then contacts Piedmont president, Ray Cleere.
"Depending on the issue, campus security might be involved," says Cutrell. "We don't want to assume anything, but we also don't want to overlook potential danger."
Be the first to comment on this story