Elk Rapids High School will soon have over a dozen surveillance cameras installed on its grounds.
ELK RAPIDS -- More eyes will be watching students and staff at an Antrim County High School.
Leaders in Elk Rapids approved the plan to put between 14 and 16 security cameras in place through out the high school building and grounds.
"Better learning takes place when students feel safe and secure so we are trying to provide better student safety," says Elk Rapids High School principal, Mike Travis.
Better safety that will come in the form of at least 15 video surveillance cameras placed throughout various hallways and outside areas of Elk Rapids High School.
"This is the opportune time to do these upgrades and make sure we have a school of the 21st century with respect to students, safety and security," says Travis.
The school board recently approved a bond of almost 20 thousand dollars to go towards the project that staff members say will keep a close eye on all school activities.
"We think that it will be a preventable thing for thefts and vandalism, that type of thing. We're going to advertise it, we're going to let the kids know where the cameras are and we want them to know that someone is watching," says Elk Rapids High School assistant principal, Jim Standerfer.
Both principals say the video cameras will not only serve as an interior security, but they'll also monitor outside visitors.
"We have a lot of doors that students and non-students come in and out of, so we want to have a visual on those doors to make sure we know whose coming and going from our building," says Standerfer.
Besides just camera security, the school is already taking extra safety measures by having windows in the main offices, so staff members have a clear view of the main building entrances.
"It's just really for the safety of the kids, keeping people that don't belong here out of the building. We want to make sure we have a visual if they do try to enter or exit," says Standerfer.
Elk Rapids High School principal, Mike Travis says the security cameras will be installed throughout the school towards the end of this month.
