EDITOR:

This latest and horrible school shooting cannot become the ‘new normal’ for life in this country. I’m not one who thinks ‘taking the guns away’ will solve it. I will point out that President Biden said in his grief stricken speech that “nobody needs and assault rifle, the deer aren’t wearing Kevlar.” He then went on to raise his voice and announce that, “We need to wake up and do something” – the something he speaks about are laws, and banning guns. But laws do not stop people from destroying other people. And certainly guns are not needed to murder our children.

The worst school murdering event took place in Bath, Michigan in 1927. On May 18th 1927 Andrew Kehoe attacked the school, murdering 38 elementary children, six adults, and injuring some 58 other people. He used dynamite. He then blew himself up.

We’ve seen so many attacks on schools since then and always declare that, “Something must be done to protect our children.” Then a few weeks go by and another story grabs the headlines and we go back to sleep.

I’m asking, “Are our area schools protected by every means possible?” Do we have cameras recording anyone who comes to the school? Are visitors (and students) passing through metal detectors. Are visitors being ‘buzzed’ in after first telling someone keeping watch what they’re doing there during school hours? Are the playground teachers actually watching for strangers, and what is the plan if they do see someone hanging around? What exactly do they do.. Blow a whistle? What?

If our neighborhood schools haven’t gotten around to it yet, or haven’t put the issue front and center.. Let’s hope this summer vacation period will find the changes made.

Edward Stacey

Escanaba