The Student Resource Officer (SRO) at Northside High School in Jacksonville reportedly took 20 seconds to respond to events that resulted in one student dead, another injured, and one in custody. Even before the tragedy, the safety of Lenoir County Public Schools (LCPS) has been a primary concern for school administrators and local leaders.

In the wake of a student death, their concerns are more pressing.

“Our heartfelt condolences are with the Onslow County School System as they mourn the loss of a student and to all parents that have experienced an act of violence in their respective communities,” said Assistant Superintendent Nicholas Harvey II.

LCPS has written and received grant funding from the State Center for Safer Schools to purchase safety equipment and to also employ additional human resources. Individual safety audits will be performed at each school.

“Parents of Lenoir County Public Schools,” said Commissioner J. Mac Daughety in a Facebook post. “Just want to let you know that all Lenoir County middle and high schools will have a dedicated fully staffed SRO. Each elementary school will have a shared SRO and walk throughs from NC Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies.”

In addition to the resource officers, Daughety also shared, “All middle and high schools in Lenoir County will be equipped with walk through metal detectors along with metal detecting hand held wands. All elementary schools will be equipped with hand held metal detecting wands.”

LCPS Public Information Officer Patrick Holmes said, “As for the metal detectors, etc, we have the equipment for use at special events, but as far as I know, we have no plans to use these devices in the course of the usual school day.”

With support of the local County Commissioners, LCPS was able to add surveillance cameras, access controlled doors and other safety measures.

“Most importantly, we will continue to develop positive relationships with our students,” said Harvey. “LCPS has been, and will continue to be, committed to being as proactive as possible regarding the safety of our students, staff, and stakeholders that visit our schools.”