A first of its kind meeting occurred on Monday, focused on keeping schools safe.
The most influential police, fire and school district leaders in Ada and Canyon Counties gathered for one purpose: they want to build a collaborative approach on how to protect students and teachers in case of an active school shooter.
The meeting came after our recent "Making the Grade" reports about local teachers who created door-locking devices for their classrooms. The locks raised red flags with local fire chiefs because of fire codes, but they also started a much larger discussion analyzing every aspect of school safety.
"Secondary locking systems, that's a hot topic right now and what we can do to provide that safety and security and options for the schools. But at the same time, not making it difficult for us to get in to solve problems," said Lt. Shawn Harper with Meridian Police Department.
Harper oversees the school resource officers in Meridian. He organized Monday's meeting of stakeholders.
He says Monday's meeting is just the first step in creating new policies, training or even a push for different school-safety legislation. Stakeholders invited 6 On Your Side to help in this joint effort.
Any suggestions of school safety ideas for 6 On Your Side can be sent by emailor Facebook message.