Among the recent changes in security here, we see positives and negatives.
During the day, a secretary now sits at a desk in the main lobby, supervising entry into and exit from the building. Additionally, teachers have been asked to streamline the process by providing receptionists with information, including times and names of anticipated visitors, conferences and meetings 24-hours in advance. Those who enter the building must sign in, receive their visitor pass and wait in the lobby unless otherwise instructed.
Simple measures such as these are effective and practical. We recognize this as a potential burden for secretaries, but we hope they can still perform their daily tasks.
Yet this plan is not foolproof. The desk is not always staffed. Griffin reporters observed the desk to be vacant late morning on Jan. 15 and 31 as well as Feb 2. On at least one occasion, an alumnus passed a crowded busy welcome desk undetected.
Requiring morning entry through the main lobby is well intentioned but has reaped inconvenience. And, newly locked doors are forcing many to search for alternate routes to their next classes. Truth be told, many students manage to flag down passersby to open locked doors from inside. Principal Lyn Whitlock has asked that students and teachers be judicious about letting others into the building, but what does that mean exactly? Signs on the side doors say, “No Entry. Use front doors.” They mention no exceptions.
We salute the administration’s decision to provide building keys to many teachers who park in the lower lot and arrive early. Ditto for the move to station the school’s second student resource officer near the chorus room, expanding police presence into the new wing. Other wise moves include the request that teachers remain alert to student behavior and the decision to prohibit backpacks in the auditorium during the winter assembly. But the policy to have classroom doors locked with one kept ajar for the administration seems cavalier mere months after a gunman stormed a Connecticut elementary school, gunning down 26 people.
What to do next? While some call for completely eliminating backpacks, we say no. Locker runs between classes would jam the halls and make students tardy.
Still others propose metal detectors. But such devices would impede flow into the building. The daily morning scene would include lines coiling like snakes around all sides of the school. We can just hear the unending bleeping with each and every earring, binder ring and coffee mug, and the ensuing grumbles from tired teenagers.
We suggest a camera and buzzer system, like the one installed within the past month at Cockeysville Middle School. What did it take to get it? According to a teacher there, parents putting pressure on the school board.

Weigh in on the issue. Tweet the editors (@DulaneyGriffin) with hashtag #DHSsecurity to share your thoughts.