My fiancé has attended Pueblo Community College/SCCC for more than two years. Portions of his tuition pay for a nurse and security. Following the Umpqua Oregon Community College killings, he learned his school doesn’t have security per se. He spoke with student council about the lack of an armed security presence and was told to address that with the main Pueblo campus president and PCC’s leaders.
On Oct. 21, my fiancé, three members of student council, one administrator and three representatives from the main Pueblo campus met. Their main spokesman said, “It is not in the budget,” and then said something to the effect of, “If you feel more secure and safer carrying a gun, I support it as long as you do it legally.” We don’t need a free-for-all with hand guns! We need the leaders of Pueblo Community College/SCCC to take immediate action: armed security during school; more lighting in the parking lots; more camera placements; two-way radios to communicate with security/office; intercom system; classroom phone lines directly to 911; lockdown and fire drills; a known procedure for students and teachers to anonymously report a student who is exhibiting potentially aggressive issues; and a security checkpoint with someone checking IDs as people enter the building. The Durango, Mancos and Fremont campuses don’t have armed security; the main Pueblo campus does. Are we all paying for their armed police? Perhaps other business entities housed in the same building as Pueblo Community College/SCCC can come together and offset this ever-so-valuable cost.
You saw them off to school today. A deranged gunman entered your loved ones’ school and you’re crying inconsolably and yet you are needed to identify what remains of someone whom you love. Let’s be clear: Armed security does not ensure it will never happen; armed security and other common sense safety protocols are deterrents that help promote a safer and secure environment for all. You have a voice: Make calls, start a petition, write letters.
Geraldine Rael
Hesperus
