Schools
Security Cameras at Souhegan High?
The school may add cameras and increased lighting in response to incidents in the parking lot.
School officials are looking to beef up security in the high school parking lot.
The matter was discussed at this week’s Souhegan Cooperative School Board meeting after they received a recommendation from Community Council to prevent criminal activity outside of the school building.
Souhegan Principal John Ingram said the camera recordings would be used to look back at incidents like theft and vandalism on students' cars. They would be motion-activated and would also send information to the local police department.
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Nearly all of the incidents take place during the day, according to School Resource Officer John Smith. He said that it is hard to identify the perpetrators and very few are caught.
According to records from Ingram, the total cost of criminal activity from 2008 until 2011 has been $4,586. This amount comes from car damage and items stolen from vehicles.
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The footage could also be used to save time if a high-profile student goes missing. He also said that the cameras would serve as a crime deterrent in the parking lots.
The board considered the possibility of up to eight cameras, which would cost approximately $44,000 in all.
Board member Steve Coughlan said at the meeting that only installing a few cameras would just push criminal activity to areas that have no surveillance.
“I want full coverage, that is the only thing that achieves the real objective here,” he said.
Community Council recommended that the school install only the minimum amount of cameras needed, which may be two cameras at $26,000 total.
The school is also considering additional lighting in the rear parking lot, which currently has dark areas that could pose a risk during nighttime events. The current plan would be to add three additional light posts.
Each light post would cost about $1,700-$2,000, according to Director of Buildings and Grounds Jim Miner.
A decision on the security cameras and lighting will be made at a future date.
The following is a record of incidents occurring in Souhegan High School parking lots from 2008 to 2011.
Offense Total Theft 17 Vandalism 14 Substance Abuse 9 Driving to Endanger 15 Weapons 2 Secxual Misconduct 3 Trespassing 9 Off Campus Violation 103
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