Cameras have been at ALHS for a long time. Officer Herman watches over them to make sure there is no security violations. “If someone ever were to enter the school as a threat, I will do whatever I can in my power to stop them,” Herman said.

Shattering glass, screams of adults, footsteps rushing down hallways, students huddled in a dark classroom with the door locked. Bang. Bang. Bang.

Those sounds are the reason lock downs are so important and security is now a must in schools. Similar sounds were heard in the shooting in Newtown, Conn., by small children. The shooting in Conn. is a prime example of why many schools are upgrading security and practicing more lock downs.

Albert Lea High School has, and will continue to practice lock downs, and while those are helpful, schools are safe for many other reasons.

“Since Newtown, school security has changed a lot,” said principal’s secretary, Jen Zoller.

Zoller controls the new system that locks and unlocks the front door after 8 AM. This is a new addition to the high school’s security, which prevents someone from getting in after a certain time unless Zoller opens it.

“It’s a nice addition, but glass won’t protect against a gunshot,” Zoller said.

It’s true, the front doors are glass, and they will not defend anyone inside from a gunshot, but that’s not their purpose. The tiger doors are glass panes so Zoller and other office staff can see who is attempting to enter. Even though it is not the safest, security will continue to be upgraded, and there is always the possibility of new and improved additions to the security of ALHS.

“We never had lock downs when I was a kid,” said Police Officer Ted Herman.

Officer Herman is ALHS’s primary protection. The secondary protection is, of course, the teachers and any other emergency services called upon in the case of a school shooting. The reason for having a police officer in a high school is not only for that reason, but to make us feel safe. School is a safe place, and students are meant to learn without the fear of an intruder. In the case of a school shooting, it’s Herman’s job to try his best to prevent, but mostly limit any possible danger to any students in ALHS.

“If someone ever were to enter the school as a threat, I will do whatever I can in my power to stop them,” Herman said.