Law Shield was interested to hear what an Alabama middle school principal wanted her students to do as a last-resort defense against possible intruders: hurl cans of corn and peas that had been stockpiled in classrooms.
In a letter dated January 9, W.F. Burns Middle School Principal Priscella Holley asked parents to have each student bring an 8-ounce canned item.
“We realize at first this may seem odd; however, it is a practice that would catch an intruder off guard,” she wrote in the letter, published by TV station WHNT in Huntsville.
Yes, we agree this seems odd. We don’t agree that the practice would catch an intruder off guard.
“The canned food item could stun the intruder or even knock him out until the police arrive,” Holley wrote.
”The canned food item will give the students a sense of empowerment to protect themselves and will make them feel secure in case an intruder enters their classroom,” she wrote in a note co-signed by Assistant Principal Donna M. Bell.
We agree with Principal Holley that schools need effective defenses against armed intruders. We also don’t wish to mock her efforts to make her kids’ safer, by whatever means necessary.
But here are a couple of things we’d like her to think about first:
An armed teacher and/or administrator who was also qualified as armed security.
Schoolground carry by parents, such as allowed in Utah.
There are many other options. What do you think would work best? Let us hear your comments.
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