When Roanoke Police heard about the shooting in Connecticut they immediately increased patrols around all school zones in the city.
Those patrols continued through dismissal.
It was a precaution.
Roanoke City schools like many districts have tight security.
First of all, you can't get inside. The doors are always locked. That means parents, even school officials, have to be buzzed in.
We talked to Superintendent Rita Bishop by phone Friday afternoon. She says security is always a top priority.
“We review ours several times each year and particularly as the technology changes. For example cameras,” Bishop said.
The superintendent says they don't discuss the details of their security plan openly for obvious reasons.
She called Friday’s shooting horrific and beyond words.
BOTETOURT COUNTY
That reaction was echoed by Dr. Anthony Brads, Superintendent of Botetourt County schools.
He told us that after Friday’s shooting, all school administrators and personnel in Botetourt County will again review their emergency plans.
Dr. Brads also says school officials everywhere will be watching the investigation in Connecticut to see what they can learn from it and possibly make changes to increase security.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
In Franklin County, students discussed the Connecticut shootings.
It's terrible. You figure what kind of person would shoot up a bunch of elementary students. It's real bad,” Jessy Pendleton said.
Student Rachel Harrington said: “It makes me feel bad to think that those parents went and dropped their kindergarteners thinking that they would be safe and having to get a phone call saying that your kid could possibly be hurt or even killed.
Some of the students believe stricter gun laws will help prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.
