News and Information

Scanner Makes Students Safe From Sexual Predators
gneumann@sbgnet.com

November 17, 2005 – One local school campus is safe from sexual predators tonight. New technology in place is designed to keep them from ever entering its halls.

And other schools may soon follow suit.

When Robert Peavy began his teaching career 38 years ago...sexual predators were not a concern.

Robert Peavy/Substitute Teacher: "The world has changed a lot since I've been here, and not for the better."

Now a retired substitute teacher, Peavy is subject to the same screening required of all visitors to Pine Forest High School. This small scanner records drivers license information and matches it to sexual offender databases in 44 states.

Mike Haveard/School Resource Officer: "We're trying to do anything we can to help with the safety of the kids in the school, and we are the only ones right now, Pine Forest is the only one who's got this program."

Mike Haveard discovered this system at a meeting of Florida School Resource Officers earlier this year...and the inventor gave it to him to test at Pine Forest. The school's principal is thrilled with the results.

Barbara Patterson/Pine Forest High Principal: "If it does come across something that needs our attention I'm notified, the school resource officer is notified and law enforcement is right there to take care of the situation."

Don't worry...if you're not on an offender registry...you're simply issued a badge to wear while in the building. And this visitor badge allows everyone in the school to know exactly who I am and where I'm going.

Jim Paul/Escambia Schools Superintendent: "It also helps the principal and administration know where people are in their school, and just the security."

And Superintendent Jim Paul would like to see the system in place at every school in Escambia County...despite it's fifteen hundred dollar price tag.

Paul: "I think it's worth it, I think the school board would also agree that it's worth it."

Paul says the financing could come from the district, each individual school and the PTA.