The recent string of thefts from Seahom’s locker rooms has got The Highlander thinking: Is the price paid by not having security cameras in the school worth the freedom?
In theory, a camera-free Seaholm is a great idea. Then again, communism, jean shorts, trimesters, fanny packs, Star Wars 1-3, and fruit cake are all fantastic in theory as well.
The fact is, though the environment created by a camera-free school is an enjoyable, slowly throughout the year the fear of being watched by the administration has been replaced by the fear of having your things burglarized.
According to Assistant Principal Deb Boyer, there have been more thefts from the school this year than in any year previous. Seaholm students can no longer lock any of their belongings in lockers they had once thought to be secure without the fear of them being stolen.
This leads us to the age old ‘privacy vs. security’ debate. Has Seaholm reached the point where it has become somewhat reckless on the part of those who are anti-cameras to continue to argue against their installation when thefts from locked lockers have become so frequent, students can no longer lock belongings in their lockers without worrying they might be stolen?
We think so.
At this point, it is irresponsible to not have security cameras installed outside all exits of the locker rooms. The amount of thefts that have piled up this year is proof that security cameras are a necessary measure for keeping the belongings of the student body out of the hands of petty thieves.
If the student body as a whole wants to keep the school a camera-free zone, we have to take it upon ourselves--each and every one of us--to stop stealing from our peers.
Think of it this way: If we keep stealing from each other, the logical result will be that security cameras will be installed, which would be an effective preventative measure. If we stop the stealing, the need for security cameras will evaporate, and we will continue to be a camera-free school.
In simpler terms: stop getting greedy and lifting your friends’ phones, wallets, and iPods. It’s not just a crime; it’s putting the freedom of not being watched by the administration in serious jeopardy for everybody else.
The student body is currently pushing their luck by stealing from their peers with one hand and wagging our finger at the administration who wants to install security cameras with our other.
The administration should seriously consider making another push for installing security cameras outside of the locker rooms. The price paid in hours of grief looking fruitlessly for their stolen items, and in replacing phones, wallets, credit cards, IDs, and iPods by students is not worth the ‘freedom’ the student body is getting in return.
