Much of the $33.9 million in bond sales Alpena Public Schools voters approved earlier this year will go toward improvements to security infrastructure at APS buildings.

Secure vestibules will be built that prevent visitors from entering the schools without first visiting the office. Security cameras will be installed, as will new screening systems that can tell whether visitors are on the state’s Sex Offender Registry.

Those are all important, though unfortunate, needs.

School violence has been on the rise in recent years, and we need to do all we can to protect our kids.

But, as was reported recently in The News, infrastructure only goes so far. It also takes people to keep kids safe, and we all play a role.

Teachers and principals are trained to spot and handle potential behavior issues. And students are given the freedom to take on leadership roles, to engage in their school on various projects that give them a sense of ownership of and belonging to their school. That makes them less likely to be violent there.

But safety extends beyond the schools, too.

Neighbors, family friends, coaches, employers, all of us should keep an eye on our kids and reach out when there are signs of a problem.

Security is about more than locked doors, and we all should feel responsible.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)