Concord High School Issues Enhanced Security on School’s Campus

In the wake of school safety incidents including the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, districts across the country are working with police and first responders to improve safety conditions on campuses, including in Concord.

Earlier this week, Concord High School implemented “enhanced security” measures at the school, according to Principal Gene Connolly, rules that, he noted, have been in the planning stages for some time but were recently “accelerated … in view of events in Connecticut and elsewhere.”

Specifically, new procedures that have been changed or will be changed soon include a new rule that visitors must both sign in and out of the main office, other areas of the campus that will be closed, blocked from the public, or locked during certain time periods, and the installation of barriers to limit vehicular access to parts of Westbourne Street of the school campus.

Connolly stated that the fire lane near the main entrance of the campus has been “closed off” to public access. It can still be used as a drop off point but parking will be “strictly prohibited,” although first responders will have access in the event of an emergency.

Next week, the Westbourne Street side of the building will be restricted with the exception of a “brief window of time” in the morning. Handicapped individuals will still be able to use the entrance by ringing a buzzer that is connected to a television monitor.

Hardware will also be installed to keep people from parking in the access area on Westbourne Street. Pedestrians and wheelchairs will still be able to use the area for access, according to Connolly.