Baltimore County hosts community meeting on school safety policies

On Thursday, Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers held a meeting at Catonsville High School to address school safety policies with community members. This event was the first of two scheduled "Community Conversations on School Safety" aimed at fostering dialogue between the school district and the community regarding safety measures. During the meeting, Rogers outlined the district's ongoing efforts to enhance safety protocols in schools. Among the key initiatives discussed were the installation of cameras on nearly 1,000 school buses to deter illegal passing and the introduction of Omnilert Gun Detect technology, which utilizes artificial intelligence to identify weapons through existing security cameras. This technology has been rolled out across all 176 schools in the district, reflecting a commitment to leveraging advanced tools for student safety. Community members provided feedback on the implemented safety measures, suggesting additional steps such as installing cameras in classrooms and metal detectors at school entrances. They also emphasized the need for parents and guardians to be informed about safety drills and terminology, fostering a collaborative approach to safety between schools and families. Rogers concluded the meeting by stressing that safety begins at home, urging parents to communicate any issues that could affect school safety. The next meeting is scheduled for October 17 at Kenwood High School, continuing the district's efforts to engage the community in discussions about school safety.