TOLEDO, Ohio — Enhanced security measures are going into effect at Washington Local Schools in an effort to keep students safe.
A new guard shack has been added to the parking lot between Washington Junior High and Whitmer's Center Technology Center. District leaders said it's important they control traffic near the buildings in order to keep students safe.
The shack has been around for decades but with a rise in traffic in the nearby parking lots, district officials said improvements were needed. To increase security, they built a new guard shack that will be staffed by armed security officers during school hours.
Whitmer High School senior Alexander Rodriguez said the new measure is a conversation starter among the students.
"There's definitely mixed feelings. Some people don't like the box because they can't sneak in here and park wherever they want," Rodriguez said. "But I think a lot of students like the added security, and, you know, people can't just come and go as they please and they feel a lot safer here."
This parking lot, where the new shack is located, is the busiest location on the school's campus, according to Whitmer Principal Jerry Bell.
"You know we have an open campus, so our kids just move about. The more that we talked about it the more that we noticed that we had cars that were just randomly moving around the parking lot and we had no idea who those cars were," he said.
With the added security measure, every car that enters the parking lot will be screened. To enter, a campus guest will need a formal ID, a parking pass, or proof of a scheduled school-related appointment.
Brian Meyer, the Director of Security for Washington Local Schools said the guard shack should be taken very seriously. If you don't abide by it, you could face legal repercussions.
"We have a Toledo police officer (on site)," he said. "We've already discussed criminal trespassing charges if they (drivers) choose to drive right pass."
While the school adjusts to the new parking procedures, Rodriguez, a Criminal Justice Career Tech Student, said he's watching, and he hopes the shack can be an example of how to keep an area secure. He also thinks the shack makes the campus a safer place.
"This is a giant school there's a lot of entry points in here and I think the added security is great," said Rodriguez.
The school officials said the shack was already in the maintenance budget and the security was already hired on campus, so there was no extra cost in its construction.