Pencils as Weapons? Come On!
Here’s an example of zero tolerance that has gone too far.
I just heard about a Massachusetts sixth grade teacher who wants to ban her students from bringing writing implements to school. She seems to think that they can be used as weapons.
The teacher would provide the pencils in class, and students would be required to turn them back in before they leave. Anyone caught with a pen or pencil would be disciplined.
Although I’m all for improving safety and security on campus, this is just another example of how it can go too far… and make the security profession look ridiculous.
Let’s develop some common sense, please!
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About the Author
Robin Hattersley, Editor-in-Chief
Robin has been covering the security and campus law enforcement industries since 1998 and is a specialist in school, university and hospital security, public safety and emergency management, as well as emerging technologies and systems integration. She joined CS in 2005 and has authored award-winning editorial on campus law enforcement and security funding, officer recruitment and retention, access control, IP video, network integration, event management, crime trends, the Clery Act, Title IX compliance, sexual assault, dating abuse, emergency communications, incident management software and more. Robin has been featured on national and local media outlets and was formerly associate editor for the trade publication Security Sales & Integration. She obtained her undergraduate degree in history from California State University, Long Beach.
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