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Sunnyside school district increases security

Posted at 7:19 PM, Sep 27, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-27 22:20:36-04
Sunnyside School District is keeping a closer eye on their students as they look to increase their security by installing new cameras in their schools. The new cameras will be in addition to the hundreds of cameras already in the district. 
 
It's been a successful couple of years for Sunnyside School District who implemented security cameras in each corner of their schools. 
 
Javier Baca, spokesman for Sunnyside says since 2012 the cameras have been reliable and helped address a lot of issues in the community. Adding, that they have seen break-ins and thefts decrease over time. 
 
While the system serves multiple purposes the main priority is the safety of the children inside the school. 
 
The cameras watch, record and prevent incidents from happening inside the classrooms, hallways and outside. 
 
Javier tells KGUN 9 that the cameras give them "the ability to watch when an incident may occur -- where there may have been a bullying incident or an altercation. This gives us the ability to get the footage and provide that to the school district."
 
In turn, providing a safer environment for all. 
 
With the success, the district wants to add an additional 50 cameras which will be placed in areas that may have not been a hotspot the first time around.
 
"Since that time the students and public members have identified that they can be out of the camera sight so we're constantly modifying the system."
 
If approved, it will cost 90-thousand dollars from bond funds for the cameras, software updates and installation hardware. 
 
The cameras do not record audio and are not located in private facilities including restrooms.
 
 Footage from the cameras can be accessed through cell phones if officials aren't in the command center.