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Barrow: Consider arming, training principals
Congressman makes proposal while meeting with city officials
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U.S. Rep. John Barrow
U.S. Rep. John Barrow told Statesboro city officials Friday that he supports the idea of armed, trained administrators in schools.Barrow, D-Ga., visited the Statesboro Police Department to discuss local law enforcement issues. Other local law enforcement agencies were invited, he said, but only Statesboro Public Safety Director Wendell Turner, City Manager Frank Parker, police Crime Suppression Unit Lt. Rob Bryan and Statesboro Fire Chief Tim Grams attended the meeting.“I’m all for folks who are qualified to have guns on (school) premises,” Barrow said, specifically speaking of principals who have had former police or military training.Armed officers or faculty members at schools could help save lives, Barrow said.Bulloch County Schools Superintendent Charles Wilson said he would need more details about what Barrow is proposing before he could comment on it.Also, a more efficient way of alerting police to dangers should be utilized, the congressman said.Often, 911 centers in busy areas are “overloaded” with calls, and callers sometimes are met with busy operators who ask them to hold, he said.A principal dialing 911 to report an emergency might find himself on hold, but a new system that is already in use by some areas could mean the difference between lives lost or saved.“A signal sent directly to public safety that supersedes 911 would cut response time,” Barrow said. “This technology is readily available now – a panic button.
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