Bulletproof Whiteboards Placed in School To Protect Against Shooters
ASHLYNN AUGUSTUS, Freshman
BLYTHEWOOD- In Delaware, Gunning Bedford Middle School has been given bulletproof whiteboards to help protect students against shooters on campus. The boards are capable of stopping shots from handguns and even shotguns.
“I think these bulletproof white boards are a waste of money. They could have used their money on something else that would actually be more useful to protect against a shooter,” freshman Hannah Thier said.
“Someone could end up getting shot or worse because of these things. The boards are pretty small in size and would provide little protection against a gun, even if it’s bulletproof,” Thier said.
The white boards are 18” x 20” and are made from the material similar to the ones in bulletproof vests and cost $400 each.
“They’re wasting money. The money could be used to buy something more helpful like bulletproof glass. Those boards will barely protect anything,” freshman Cheyenne Carr said.
The boards were designed to make a gap between the shooter and teacher; which supposedly forces the shooter to reload. The goal is to buy time for the police to come, be able to evacuate the school, while ensuring the safety for the student body.
According to the school officials, the boards are being tested at this middle school to see how security can be improved in school.
Because of these whiteboards being used, a few students at Blythewood stated their opinion on whether or not BHS should buy these boards in case of a shooter.
Some believed that Blythewood should not buy these.
“They are rather stupid,” Carr said.
Car discussed the fact the school should just buy bullet proof glass because it would be more effective and safer.
“The school should purchase bulletproof glass. It may be more expensive, but it would be a lot safer than those white boards. The glass wouldn’t put anyone in danger and no one would have to be up close to the shooter to stop them,” Carr said.
Their agreed with her.
“If the school were given options between a gun, bulletproof glass and a bulletproof white board. Bulletproof glass would be the best option, if they were to purchase something to protect the students against a shooter,” Their said.
She believed that the glass could easily protect the high school between the three options.
“A gun could possibly fall into a student’s hands and who knows what they could do with it. The board cannot prove that much protect, if the shooter is far away, plus they would be able to easily shoot the wielder of it,” Their said.
No one will know for sure if the boards will truly be effective, until a shooter comes and it’s actually used.
