Armed Guards are Schools' Choice, State Senator Says

The Pennsylvania Senate has unanimously approved legislation co-sponsored by state Sen. Bob Mensch that's aimed at improving school safety, including grants for armed guards.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration, and comes at a time when the Easton Area School District—part of Mensch's district—is considering expanding the number of armed guards at its schools, as part of a larger effort at improving school safety.

The school board is expected to vote next month on a measure that would also include new security cameras and a district-wide key card system.

The Mensch bill would expand the current Safe Schools Grant program in the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and it would establish a new grant program that would allow schools to train and hire armed guards, according to information provided about the legislation.

However, the decision about whether to have armed guards would rest with the individual school districts, Mensch said. Schools also could work with local police departments for increased security, he said.

Under Mensch's bill, grants also could be used to purchase security-related devices such as metal detectors, surveillance equipment and door locks.

"To the extent we can, let's protect our students," Mensch said.

The Sandy Hook tragedy, where a gunman killed 20 young students and six staffers, was "the last straw," Mensch said.

Some district officials took initiative by stepping up security measures at their schools, but others were slower to respond because of money issues, Mensch said. The legislation would set up grants to help schools increase security measures.

Mensch said the state is not sure if it can fund the entire grant program at this point. But, he said, the legislation to establish a program, if passed, would be a needed first step.

The legislation's prime sponsor is Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson.