Teachers like Hoke sheriff's tech approach to school security

A man walked into the school Dec. 4 through an unlocked side door, and when the teacher confronted him, he asked her about a former employee before beating her with an unidentified metal object.

Peterkin's security plan includes installing infrared security devices around the perimeter of each of Hoke County's 14 schools, expanding the security camera system at schools and having every teacher download an app to their cellphones to provide them with personal panic buttons.

In the West Hoke Elementary incident, he said, the infrared fencing could have detected the intruder before he got inside the school, and the teacher who was attacked could have used the cellphone app to alert other teachers and law enforcement to the emergency.

"There's been a lot of questions. What are you doing? Should we arm teachers? Well, we've said all along, let's provide the resources and do everything possible," Hoke County Schools Superintendent Freddie Williamson said. "We realize that debate is an ongoing debate, but we can do this now."

"I think there's some positive aspects to that in terms of the speed that [an emergency response] would occur, so I think that is a very good idea," Hoke County High School teacher Angel Robles said.

Upchurch Elementary School Principal Shannon Sutherland said she likes the infrared fencing part of the plan.

"I think that would provide a second layer of protection for us," Southerland said. "Our playground area is large and backs up to a wood tree line, and there's some other neighborhoods back there."

No time frame or cost estimates for the fencing or the security camera upgrades were provided.