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HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. The Hastings Board of Education approved the installation of security cameras in the hallways of Farragut Middle School and Hastings High School on Monday night. A letter was sent home to parents recently to gauge the reaction in the community, but Hastings Superintendent Timothy Connors said of the nine responses he received only, four were against the cameras. Connors reiterated that although cameras would be at the ends of each hallway, they would not be placed in any instructional areas.
The main reason for the cameras is to increase safety measures and help prevent thefts, Connors said. It provides a physical presence in the hallways, he said. Anyone coming from the outside, all of that traffic would be viewable as well.
Connors said the camera footage would only be viewed by him or a designated official if need be. He did make a point to acknowledge that signs will be posted informing people there are cameras watching the grounds.
We will make sure throughout the school to anyone coming in that cameras are present, he said.
There will also be a camera that can be turned on inside the gym, which Connors said is an area that has had several thefts.
Board member Gabrielle Lesser said adding more cameras is something that needed to be done to help secure the grounds.
I think people need to remember that our school is open much more than just in the day, she said. There is a presumption of safety when youre inside the school and I think the cameras help that.
Eva Kalikoff, the student representative for the board of education, said the additional cameras were not a concern among most Hastings students.
I think people are okay with it, she said. People dont feel violated. I really dont get that sense from the student body.
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