'They are easily vulnerable': Local parent pushes CMS to add SROs in elementary schools

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Leaders for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools have already implemented several safety measures to protect students including metal detecting wands and random student searches.

One local parent said he reached out to board members about adding school resource officers in elementary schools, and now has turned to Channel 9.

"These kids are vulnerable during recess," parent Tino Ferrara said. He's a parent to three elementary students.

Recess is the best part of the day for so many kids.

But Ferrara says he's worried for children's safety during that time after learning CMS elementary schools don't have assigned school resource officers.

"I don’t know whose driving on the side of the road," Ferrara said, "I don’t know whose walking on the side of the road, I mean they are easily vulnerable."

Past School Safety Coverage: 

• Teenager accused of killing classmate at Butler High School to face judge
• CMS to begin testing new security measures at 'randomly' selected high school
• CMS officials gather to discuss security screenings in schools
• 'It's a huge challenge': CMS announces new safety and security measures

All CMS high schools, middle schools, and K-8 schools have an SRO assigned to the campus. The district told Channel 9 elementary schools are patrolled by CMS police as well as local law enforcement.

But Ferrara says, that's not enough.

"I think there’s a gap there with our security to be able to watch these children, I don’t think we can have 3 or 4 sros, but i’m just asking for just one

His concern comes at a time when a report, just released from the Governor's Special Committee on School Shootings, has recommended "full funding for an SRO position...to be assigned to each school in north carolina."

"We know that those kids are outside, they need to be outside," Tracy Russ with CMS said. "We're mindful that does increase some vulnerabilities and to make sure that were doing what we can to keep them safe."

He says that's a main reason they've upped video surveillance at elementary schools, specifically in playgrounds and parking lots.

He says funding is a big part of the equation and said the state recommendations will play a role in upcoming budget talks.

"Safety measures will be apart of our budget discussions coming up with the County Commission and other leaders so we'll include our considerations for SROs and other security measures."

There are 95 elementary schools.  Russ says adding assigned SROs to each school would be an expensive venture.  Budget discussions on a district, state, and county level will begin in the coming months.

Cox Media Group