Niagara Falls, N.Y. (WBEN) A new academic year is here and for many students and teachers, it's back to normal. But back to normal might look a little different than we're used to. It's a year free of Covid restrictions, but a year in which school officials are hyper-vigilant about security in direct response to the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
"You're going to see a higher sense of awareness, just about everywhere," said Bryan DalPorto, Chief of security at Niagara Falls Public Schools.
Many school districts in Western New York are adding or increasing their security staff. "Certainly in Niagara Falls, you're going to see an increased police presence both inside and outside of schools just to set the tone and make people feel comfortable that it's a safe environment," added DalPorto.
The Niagara Falls City School District has been installing high tech weapons detection systems in the high school, middle schools and at every elementary school.
"Coming into school, it's very similar to coming into a stadium, or airport" said DalPorto. "You'll pass through a weapons detection system." In addition, teachers went through training over the summer to be more alert and aware of things that could happen.
Vape pens, knives and tasers have been confiscated since the system was first installed in the high school and middle schools.
"It's definitely a balancing act. You want people to feel comfortable. Yet, you don't want to turn a school into a facility where you can't move without being checked."
DalPorto, who is the former city of Niagara Falls police chief, said this is where experience comes into play. "When you have an unfortunate event like Uvalde, people are legitimately concerned and it's up to people like me to make them feel comfortable."
Parents will have very limited access to school buildings. "If someone doesn't have business inside of a school, or an appointment, they will not have access to the school. We want to welcome parents, but limiting the amount of people coming through the front door is the first layer of security," added DalPorto.
If a child forgot their lunch or a notebook and a parent drops it off, the parent will not come into the building. A security officer will pick up the item outside of the building and the student will come and get it from the front desk.
