School Security Proposal in Legislature - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

School Security Proposal in Legislature

Lawmakers say the state has some responsibility in making sure schools have good security.

A proposal offers grants to schools to use for security measures.

The bill is for $10 million.

Interested schools would have to match the $25,000 grant.

Senator Lonnie Laffen says the bill will greatly benefit numerous schools in North Dakota built over 100 years ago that have more than a dozen entry points.

Senator Tim Flakoll says he's seen how the security measures work, camera's helped officers nab a gunman after he escaped Flakoll's workplace.

"He escaped out of the building and fled. But because we had cameras we could distribute his picture to law enforcement and it helped us determine which way he went," says Flakoll.

Senator Laffen says, "One of the primary safety concerns is limiting entry to one area. This single point access should be monitored by a live person usually a front administrative staff, or someone monitoring cameras. These changes often require panic devices at all doors."

The grants can only be given if the state's ending fund balance on June 2014 is more than $30 million.