Springfield schools consider police access to security cameras

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Improving school security is back in the spotlight following a deadly shooting at a Georgia high school on Wednesday.

Springfield Public Schools are discussing a contract renewal with the Springfield Police Department that would continue granting police access to school cameras in hallways and outside of school buildings to aid in investigations.

“No one is saying the cameras are going to stop something, but it will certainly aid in the response,” says Adam Fenn, Director of Safety and Security for Springfield Public Schools.

This comes as schools across the country are back on high alert, following Wednesday’s deadly shooting at a Georgia High School. Now ensuring the safety of students is more urgent than ever.

Superintendent of Springfield Public Schools Dr. Sonia Dinall told 22News, “This new development most definitely makes this conversation very timely.” Police access to school cameras has received both praise for the added security measure, and pushback with privacy concerns.

The Springfield Police Department only had access to the interior cameras six times in just over three years, most recently for the shooting incident at Sci-Tech last March. “This is not police officers monitoring these cameras, its civilians that work in the police department. When the calls go out they are able to access them in real-time to see what’s going on,” says Fenn.

Springfield Police Spokesperson Ryan Walsh adds, “We are here to help in a catastrophic event, also if there’s a fire in the chemistry lab, something like that. We can help the fire department to make sure the schools are clear and the kids are safe.”

The Springfield School Committee will have until the end of September to vote on approving the policy before the contract ends.

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