MARSHFIELD (WAOW) -
As students walk the hallways of Marshfield High School,
cameras capture their every move.
"It's had a very good impact on, I think, student
behavior, just the accountability aspect of it. It provides us with proof
positive that an event occurred and how it occurred," said Marshfield High
School Principal Steve Sukawaty.
The cameras are directed at hallways, doors and the
outside of the building.
Students said they're noticing a difference.
Mai Tyler is a senior at Marshfield High School. She said
the cameras make her feel safer.
"If something bad does happen, there is a way to, you
know, get the full story and maybe take more preventive measures in the future,"
said Tyler
"It's a more subtle change of, I suppose, mood in the
school, not in a negative way at all, more in a positive direction," said
Camille Warner, a senior at the school.
School leaders said the higher security didn't come from
one specific event.
They were just doing routine security checks when a
consultant recommended they install better cameras and automatic electric
locks.
"I know from what we had to what we've gone to, it's a
100 percent extreme improvement," said Marshfield High School Police Liaison
Officer, Rochley Gross.
School leaders said the cameras make students think twice
about their behavior.
"There are less fights and less disturbances because they
know that the camera are on and recording what they're doing.
But not everyone likes the new system. A student told
Newsline 9 he thought the cameras were a waste of money because the school was
already safe.
Still, leaders said they think they made the right
decision.
"We were never by any stretch a dangerous high school or
a tough place to be, but any step in the right direction is a good step," said
Sukawaty.
According to the superintendent, the entire security
update cost $160,000.
