Should School Buses Have Security Cameras?

As part of a $2 million effort to increase security in Howard County schools, Howard County officials say they will be studying the feasibility of installing security cameras on school buses.

The deep look into school security comes in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook school shooting in Connecticut, when 20 first graders and six adults were killed in a grisly scene that has changed school security policies across the country.

Among the recommendations in Howard County is to study whether it’s a good idea to place security cameras on school buses.

Tell us in comments: Would a camera on your child’s school bus make it safer?  

School bus security cameras have reduced mishaps – and caught incidents of others – in districts across the country.

“The number of times children are written up [for misbehaving] is reduced greatly when students know there’s a videotape of their every activity,” Dr Alan Ross, the president of the National Coalition for School Bus Safety told ABC News. “We know their behavior improves. When their behavior improves, there’s less distraction to the driver.”

Some teens at other high schools have objected against more surveillance cameras in schools.

Students at Walpole High School in Wapole, MA have said a proposal for more security cameras in high school is an “invasion of privacy,” according to the Boston Globe.

Footage caught on school bus security cameras has already made headlines, such as when a bus driver in Florida was recently caught texting and driving – even taking both hands off the wheel to do so,  and another Florida bus driver was caught pushing a special needs student off the bus.

The study over whether to install security cameras on Howard County school buses also comes during increased scrutiny over bullying.

Student forums were recently held across Howard County to discuss the issue of bullying and what could be done to combat it.

Some students said they needed new solutions and had become “desensitized” to frequent presentations and talks from teachers and adults about the issue, according to the Howard County Times.

See related links:

Ulman: County to Invest $2 Million in School Security 'Immediately'

Bullying Forums Scheduled in Elkridge and Howard County Schools

Howard County Police to Increase Patrols Near Schools After Connecticut Shooting

Elkridge School Bus Accident Delays Students