Roosevelt Park High School has fallen victim to crime, leaving the school’s e-learning implementations bleak and daunting.
Last month the school’s computer lab was cleared of all computers, and recently all tablets used for e-learning were also stolen.
The school is concerned about its security measures and the manner in which the American District Telegraph’s (ADT) conducted itself during and after the burglaries.
ADT is the security company used by the school for protection and installing security devices.
“When ADT came after the alarm went off, the burglars were on the roof, they did not check the roof so they missed the burglars,” said Roosevelt Park High School deputy principal Henk Ferreira.
According to Ferrira, the burglars knew exactly what they wanted to steal and the exact room to break into through the roof. This is the second time this year in which the school has been burgled.
This kind of burglary, according to Ferreira, has also happened at other schools in the area.
“Someone needs to take responsibility for these burglaries because the tablets are supposed to help teachers bring e-learning into the classrooms and that has been interrupted,” he added.
According to Ferreira, the most important thing is ensuring that everyone at the school is safe.
“What would have happened if someone was at the school at the time,” he rhetorically asked.
In response to the situation, Clive Humphrey managing director of ADT Security Central Region said, “We are aware of the recent burglaries that have occurred at Roosevelt High School and share the school’s concern about these incidents.”
Humphrey said their reaction officer acted strictly to protocol when he responded to the alarm activation at the school. The key-holder at the school was alerted and the reaction officer simultaneously dispatched.”
Humphrey added that “On arrival, he [the recreation officer] checked the perimeter of the school building, checking all the windows and doors for signs of forced entry. He found none as all the entrances were secure. It was discovered later that the suspects had entered through the roof and cut the alarm wires. ”
According to Humphrey, ”all ADT reaction officers are highly trained and follow strict Standard Operating Procedures when responding to an incident. We have no reason to believe that an ADT staff member has been involved in the burglaries at the school,” he added.
“We appreciate the uneasiness these incidents have caused the school, and we are therefore in the process of advising the school on additional security systems and measures. We are also working with the police to share intelligence regarding the incidents,” concluded Humphrey.
