'Intruder drills' being considered in schools

In wake of the Connecticut school shooting, some schools are considering implementing “intruder drills.” KWTV Channel 9 News in Oklahoma City reported on Jan. 9 that one school has already had their first “intruder drill.”

Chandler Park Road Elementary will start implementing the new drills, in addition to lockdown drills, fire drills and tornado drills. During the “intruder drills,” the lights will be turned off, the doors shut and students will be told be as quiet and still as possible.

This new drill is very similar to the lockdown drills that are already in place. The schools are looking into practicing hiding children in locked closets and moving the students so they can't be seen through the windows.

“It is about time schools started doing something like this,” Mark Johnston, from Oklahoma City, said. “It makes me wonder if we didn't learn anything from Columbine. School shootings happen far too often and have been happening for far too long. It is sad it takes another tragedy to put a safety plan into action.”

There are some who are opposed to “intruder drills.” They believe this can cause children to be afraid to go to school. Despite that, many schools may feel better prepared for gunmen in schools after implementing “intruder drills.” At the time of publication, local police had not made any statements as to whether or not "intruder drills" would help keep schools safe.