Eleven days before Christmas, 20 children and six staff members were gunned down in Connecticut’s Sandy Hook Elementary School. Our nation grieved the loss of life, and we lacked the words to adequately convey our sense of sorrow and horror.
Questions, however, weren’t in short supply. “How?” and “Why?” were at the top of the list. With the actual shooter in the Sandy Hook rampage dead, the questioners turned up more theoretical culprits — too little access to mental health care, too much access to firearms, a murder-happy entertainment culture.
The carnage in Connecticut made an impact far beyond that state’s borders. And everywhere else, the same question was asked: Could it happen here? The answer to that is easy.
Unfortunately, it’s yes.
This is something the Goshen community knows all too well. While the death toll was much lower and children weren’t targeted, the Nu-Wood shootings of a decade ago are evidence that mass shootings don’t always happen “somewhere else.”
Local law enforcement officials know this. So do our school officials. They want the best for our community, and they’re thinking about the worst.
On Tuesday, local school superintendents met with members of the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department to discuss school safety issues.
“What I can say is that all the agencies in the area are working together to keep our students safe,” Middlebury Community Schools Superintendent Jane Allen said after the meeting. Not that we had any doubt, but it’s good to be reassured.
Security, of late, is a prime concern for school administrators. The Middlebury administration is looking into metal detectors, extra school resource officers and other procedures, Allen told The News. This after a Northridge student allegedly brought a gun into school last month. At Wa-Nee Community schools, a building project at NorthWood High School was put on a fast track to address security issues there. Wawasee officials recently spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on school security measures, Superintendent Tom Edington said.
Bolstered security comes with a hefty price tag. And though we hate to admit it, there’s no such thing as absolute safety. The worst can always happen.
Consider, too, that stakeholders — students, teachers, parents and taxpayers — may have differing views on what a secure school environment should be. How much are they willing to sacrifice convenience for security? How much are they willing to pay for it?
One approach may be community forums. School officials could outline what security measures are in place or planned. Members of the community they serve could weigh in with their concerns, as well as ideas for safer schools.
Our world is imperfect and often dangerous. We thank our local police and school officials for their efforts in making that world better, and safer, for our children.
Opinion
School safety is a top priority
- Opinion
-
-
Like it or not, Sheriff is going to speak freely
Elkhart County Sheriff Brad Rogers has taken heat the past couple weeks after he commented during a political rally in downtown South Bend that he would not enforce proposed future gun-control legislation within his jurisdiction.
-
Goshen neighborhood stands together on north side
Sometimes a news photographer is at the optimum location at exactly the right time. Goshen News staffer Sam Householder was in such a spot Wednesday.
-
We just can’t thank our moms enough
The purpose of this editorial is quite simple. We just want to say, “Thanks, mom.” And by “mom” we mean all of the great mothers in our community who have gone above and beyond to lead the way in the development of their children.
-
Letter carriers help to Stamp Out Hunger
There’s still time to help someone you probably don’t know.
-
Farmers are positive this will be the year
Farmers and Cub fans have something in common. They are eternally positive and expect a better season next year.
-
It's time to spruce up the Maple City
This is the season and today is the day, finally.
-
Smooth sailing for this year’s regular session
The final gavel has fallen on the 2013 regular session of Indiana’s General Assembly. During the 14-week session, our lawmakers passed nearly 300 pieces of legislation, including the state’s $30 billion biennial budget that contains the largest tax cut in state history.
-
Palm Sunday tornadoes a reminder of sudden danger
It was a beautiful day, most people around these parts who can remember will tell you. It was one of those near-perfect, early spring days, they would likely say, a stark contrast to what early evening would bring on April 11, 1965.
Yes, the Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of 1965, is still very vivid in our local history five decades later. Those were days before Doppler Radar, 24-7 cable television, countywide siren warning systems and even seatbelts in most cars. So, when afternoon turned to early evening, many local residents had little or no warning that killer tornadoes were nearly on top of them. -
Graduation is always a great achievement
While many of us have been waiting patiently – some not so patiently – for spring to finally show up in Northern Indiana, students throughout the area have been busy working on term papers, taking tests and ordering caps and gowns.
-
Carl Weaver has inspired many at GHS
Goshen High School teacher Carl Weaver has created one of the most successful science program in the United States, and we, on behalf of the thousands of students who have experienced the program, thank him.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
