School security looks to earn parents' trust

Recent school shootings have shattered the faith of many parents when it comes to schools protecting their children.

It is now up to security directors, like Roy Murray of Caddo Parish and Danny Sison of Bossier Parish, to earn the trust of parents once again. 

"It's a challege. I will tell you  that right now. It's a challege making them secure," said Dison.

Airline High School is the largest school in Bossier Parish. There are cameras at almost every corner of the school. In fact, cameras are at every Bossier Parish school.

Caddo Parish principal Paula Nelson is hoping cameras will help solve some of the problems at University Elementary. There are no cameras at the schools and she often has to rely on those who live around the school for defense.

"Our homeowners would call and let us know that sometimes they watch the school and that is a blessing," said Nelson.

Murry admits  there are vulnerable points at almost every single Caddo Parish school. Schools that were all built before Columbine in 1999.

That is where the Department of Homeland Security steps in to help.

Gene Barititti has worked closely both Caddo and Bossier Parish schools. 

Barititti trains school personel on things like how to lead others out of a dark building, how to use a fire extinguisher, how to find hiding places in a class room and how to carry an injured child or teacher out of a building. 

If a situation were to happen at Airline High School, responders can tap into the school's security cameras and access the layout of the school within seconds. 

But, it's access to the temporary building outside of the school that Dison worries the most about. 

"I'm concerned about it every day and I want teachers to know if they are in one of buildings or a building that is not attached to the main buildig classrooms have to be locked. This is the first area of defense in making sure those 20 or 25 students that are in the car are protected. A simple thing like locking a classroom door is so important," said Dison.