FONTANA, Calif. (KTLA) — The Fontana Unified School District is arming its school police with new high-performance rifles.
The district bought 14 Colt rifles valued at $1,000 each. The weapons are designed to provide accuracy over long distances.
“In the event of an active shooter on campus, this weapon provides our officers with the tools they need to respond appropriately and mitigate the loss of life,” school police Chief Billy Green said.
He added that his officers attended 40 hours of special training over the winter break.
The rifles were ordered back in October — before the deadly school shooting in Newtown, Conn. — but officials say they hope they’ll prevent any future tragedies.
“We ordered them because we identified a critical vulnerability that if somebody were to come onto our campus with a rifle, our officers didn’t have the proper tools to respond to that threat,” Green explained.
However, some school board members are opposed to the move, saying that these types of guns are not needed on school campuses.
“I am appalled that the superintendent would arbitrarily and unilaterally make a policy decision to arm Fontana School Police with high powered rifles,” school board member Leticia Garcia said.
She continued: “I do not think there is ever a need for this kind of arms on our middle and high school campuses.”
“I think she’s misinformed,” Green countered. “Not once throughout the course of this has she reached out to me to find out about why this is needed.”
Green says he wrote a memo to the Board of Education in early December outlining the rifle program.
“Why it wasn’t an issue then and it is now… Your guess is as good as mine,” he remarked.
61 Comments to “Fontana School Police Get High-Power Rifles”
January 23, 2013 at 5:26 AM
The ones that feel they are not needed on campus should patrol the Fontana campuses themselves, unarmed.
January 23, 2013 at 5:56 AM
What worries me is that if the security gets killed first it gives the gunman another gun.
It's a dangerous catch 22 to me.
January 23, 2013 at 6:14 AM
They are police officers that are being armed not rent a cops. If you are worried about cops losing their weapons what would you suggest? every school have a team of navy seals on stand by?
January 23, 2013 at 6:23 AM
I understand your concern and you're right to have your stance, yet obviously a perfect solution will be tough to find. I'm thinking of the "what if" scenarios in my head and just trying to consider some of the possible hazards involved. I'm just saying a rifle might save the day, it might make it worse. The solution I don't have..
January 23, 2013 at 3:48 PM
hahaha. A team of navy seals on standby. Damn near spit my drink out all over my desk.
January 23, 2013 at 7:21 AM
Security doesn’t even pack it.
January 23, 2013 at 6:29 AM
really??? how does this make me feel safer??? so now they will arm school police with high caliber rifles… wow, looks like it might be time for me to start the process of homeschooling my kids… this is crazy… for all who say… to protect my kids, to protect everyone's kids… i want choice… sure arm your school, but give me choice… don't force me to send my kids to school where people are armed… if you insist on arming your staff /school police, then i should have the option of not sending my kids and not being subjected to district retaliation because i don't want my kids housed in a child prison with armed guards…
January 23, 2013 at 7:16 AM
You do have the option to home school, save your kids from this system be parents instead of letting the govt do it for you.
January 23, 2013 at 7:58 AM
We get guns, but we don’t get counselors ? This is pathetic .
January 23, 2013 at 8:17 AM
Like if all counselors do anything for their students! As a student from Fohi and now AB Miller, I received no help from counselors when i was bullied! They did nothing only to suspend me after I stood up for myself against these bullies! I received more help from a teacher than a counselor or administrator.
January 23, 2013 at 1:11 PM
What is a counselor going to do the next time an armed gunman shows up at a school and starts shooting people? Nothing, that's what.
January 23, 2013 at 1:59 PM
Yes they get guns…because the guns only costed them $14,000….im sure any person can do the math on that one!! Besides…"counselors" aka…staff that made schedules for students, when would they counsel the student…during the shooting….after the shooting…no they would be in a locked office under a desk praying the police are there!
January 23, 2013 at 7:58 AM
I bet with all of these campus police being armed like they are it is only a matter of time before more school shootings happen.
The campus police may get a bit trigger happy when they feel threatened by a kindergarten child having a temper or another child reaches for their cell phone in their pocket.
January 23, 2013 at 1:13 PM
Oh please. Being a bit hyperbolic aren't we? Armed police officers shooting kids for misbehaving? If this is a problem why isn't it happening right now across the country?
If you're a gunman and you know that there are armed police guards at a school, are you going to chance it? No, you're going to look for another place where you're certain your victims won't have guns.
January 23, 2013 at 5:12 PM
Police taser children, so with guns how long will it be before they "fear for their safety" when a child is having an emotional/mental problem or is reaching in their back pocket for their cell phones and just shoot them?
Here is one report of likely too many regarding tasers use on children. Like I said, it is just MHO that it will just be a matter of time when they shoot them with guns instead of tasers.
Police Use Taser Gun On 6-Year-Old At School November 12, 2004 6:07 PM http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.html?gpp=880…
Just do an internet search of how many times police have used tasers on children..shame what this country has become.
January 24, 2013 at 6:07 AM
Im sure that is exactly what they are going to do!! Quick…somebody hand me my AR for a 6 year old I cant control!!!! get real!!
January 23, 2013 at 7:59 AM
.223 is not "high caliber." "High powered" yes, but it's a very small caliber.
January 23, 2013 at 8:10 AM
Reply to morentin1326; in regards to what you said especially…" if you insist on arming your staff /school police, then i should have the option of not sending my kids and not being subjected to district retaliation because i don't want my kids housed in a child prison with armed guards…
So true! We are turning our schools into prisons. Home school may not be ideal for many children unfortunately and for many working parents or single parent homes they may not have a choice but to send their children to day prison camps..I mean schools.
If one is able to home school there are so many wonderful programs available. Many people feel that home school isolates children from others and this is not true. In some cases there are some weird parents that keep their children from getting out there to do things with others; but the majority of home school parents I have met over the years seem to have much more going on with their children and outside get-together's with other children and their parents and even public school children. With the activities that are available out there that allow interaction such as sports there are truly many opportunities for children to get together for group activities.
I had my children all in public school but back in the day many many many years ago; campus police was not even a thought.
January 23, 2013 at 1:37 PM
well wake up!! this is a very violent world today and there have been numerous school shootings all over the country. the officers being armed does not make it ran like the militay…they are not marching up and down campus with them around their shoulder! read the paper or watch the news!! they are just there…and in reality…as many peopl ehave mentioned…if I was going to shoot up a school…the last place I would go was to a school that was already armed and ready for me!! not only does the officer on campus have one…but there will be 13 more on their way!!!
January 23, 2013 at 8:24 AM
Welcome 2013 – Every Day is a New Day!
Dear Fontana Community,
“Every day is a new day. It is better to be lucky. But I would rather be exact. Then when luck comes you are ready.” – Ernest Hemingway, "The Old Man and the Sea"
I believe what he meant for us was that we should always be exact, always be prepared. And our team is crucial to a strong and cohesive environment because we are prepared. And I believe that’s what we have here, a very strong environment that includes parents, students, teachers, and administration. We all play crucial roles in raising children into becoming strong contributing young adults.
Fortunately for all of us, the environment here in Fontana Unified has mirrored the thoughts that surround Mr. Hemingway’s thoughts, we are all prepared and committed to providing the right environment in order to help guide our kids into being strong adults.
As you all know, this economy has been trying for all of us but we have managed to overcome the perils we all face each day by continuing to encourage our children that this is only temporary and they deserve a bright and successful future. We are all in this together and it shows by the way the kids, the faculty, the administration, and the board have developed a conducive philosophy that reflects the great success and bright future the students at Fontana Unified are about to experience.
I am proud to be part of such a great team that constantly remembers the ultimate fulfilling goal that our children come first and that education means excellence for each and every student here that is guided by the Fontana School district.
We, as a group of individuals, are exact. We are prepared. And that’s what we will continue to teach our children, to be exact, to be prepared.
Best Wishes,
Cali L. Olsen-Binks
Superintendent
January 23, 2013 at 1:47 PM
Leticia Garcia is not a credible spokesperson:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/10/20/calif-school…
January 23, 2013 at 9:22 AM
I find it very uncomfortable that while the government is busy arming itself with the latest technology that at the same time this same government is tryig to disarm the taxpayer.
January 23, 2013 at 9:50 AM
These people advocating gun free zones Should have psychological evaluations.
January 23, 2013 at 9:57 AM
Garcia doesn’t have a clue about what she’s talking about .Would you really want to be responsible If kids were killed do your ignorance.Be quiet let the police handle this.
January 23, 2013 at 1:39 PM
Actually, she does "have a clue" – her husband served 27 years for murdering two people. She is one of the "bad" guys who doesn't want any good guys to have guns. If the police hadn't responded to the murders 28 years ago, the love of her life would not have been incarcerated. See my post below as well as two more articles on this idiot here:
http://www.sbsun.com/ci_19152382?source=most_view…
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/10/20/calif-school…
January 23, 2013 at 9:58 AM
Maybe the parents would be happier if the Police just yelled "Trick or Treat" at criminals rather than arm themselves to protect these STUPID parents kids!
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January 23, 2013 at 10:14 AM
I learned many years ago that some people are afraid of nearly everything. They're afraid of the bad guys, the good guys that protect us from the bad guys, and what the good guys have to do to accomplish their job.
It's like a flock of sheep: afraid of the wolf AND the sheepdogs.
January 23, 2013 at 11:10 AM
Well said.
January 23, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Do we remember what happened in North Hollywood almost 20 years ago? LAPD had to go to sporting goods stores/gun shops to get guns that were remotely as powerful as the 2 guys with fully automatic weapons. Remember how police departments over the years have had to upgrade their weapons to keep up with the criminals more powerful weapons? Stop the crying. If the liberal tree hungers had their way, police would have sling shots and pea shooters. Shut up and let the police do their jobs. Hypocritical school board members, I swear.
January 23, 2013 at 10:28 AM
My child attends school in the Fontana school district and arming the school cops with high powered rifles does not make me feel any safer. These school cops better have been properly physiologically evaluated so they don’t end up having a bad day and instead of being the protectors will become the school shooters.
January 23, 2013 at 10:37 AM
I find it funny that everyone is worried about the school police having guns. I think they should carry guns. They are POLICE OFFICERS!! Are you going to say the Fontana Police shouldn't carry weapons now too? Victim; "Help me officer this criminal is robbing me with his gun!"
Officer;' Sorry they took our guns away because they are too dangerous I cant really help you."
Let the POLICE do their jobs!
January 23, 2013 at 10:56 AM
This is an entirely different situation we’re talking about school cops who are patrolling the inside of the schools they don’t need to possess these high powered rifles on school grounds leave those weapons to the Fontana Police.
January 23, 2013 at 11:25 AM
Mame are you on the school board?, with all due respect you have the intelligence / logic of a dumb box of rocks.And you suggest they do what ? Have the police shoot from the outside in or inside out ?.
January 23, 2013 at 11:51 AM
If we're not going to arm them adequately, why bother employing real officers on campus? If all you need is a grown man with a badge to keep the peace then we wouldn't pay up for real officers, just a run-of-the-mill security guard, or hey why not have the PE teachers take up the patrol? Obviously there's a need… you can only hope something tragic doesn't happen at your kids' school and hopefully these tragedies occur less often than recent trends, but clearly these events happen and need to be dealt with… in my honest opinion I wouldn't feel right asking an officer to go on patrol without adequate means to perform the job and protect him/herself. "The best way to deter violence is to let them know you're ready for 'em."
January 23, 2013 at 11:58 AM
School police are hired by the police dept. they go through rigorous background checks and evaluations as well as training.
I believe you should be less worried about the school police having guns to protect your children and more worried about the teens that go to school with them.
The Fontana schools are not the safest public schools. As a 2008 graduate of Fontana High School I think this is a Smart Decision on the District's Behalf. With the 2006 Riot that made national news "I was there it was worse then they made it seem." To a kid getting hit in the head with a hammer in wood shop during school hours. If you want to home school your children don't do it because the district is trying to protect them do it for the inner school Teen on Teen violence. Trust me your children don't tell you half of the things that go on in these schools.
January 23, 2013 at 1:47 PM
stop being a concerned mom, and be an involved mom! if the school has a police force, why dont they provide them with the equipment they need? If thats the case, why dont we take away city big guns too, and wait for the government to come rescue them? when your child needs discipling at home do you do it, or do you call your neighbor?
January 23, 2013 at 12:04 PM
This is an NRA quote "the only thing you can use to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun." this quote makes obvious sense. Hammers kill people, so do steak knives. Should we outlaw those as well, while we are at it. Wake up! the government cannot and will not protect you in an extreme emergency or natural disaster. You will have to take care of YOURSELF. Stop having blind faith in the governments ability to protect you… Equip yourself with ability to FIGHT BACK!!!!!
January 23, 2013 at 3:46 PM
Let the Democrats choose not to arm themselves. They are already herded like sheep. In the event of some major disaster, these punks will wind up like the slaves they already are. Baaaah. Dead in a ditch.
January 23, 2013 at 12:37 PM
Protect myself oh no not me that's what police are for . Someone will help me and my children all I have to do is make a phone call this is how modern day society works. You gun nuts stay away, I refuse to believe that more guns are the answer to my children's safety.
January 23, 2013 at 3:27 PM
Will the weapon bans protect you when your being shot at?
January 23, 2013 at 3:44 PM
When an attacker is only seconds away, the police are still minutes away.
January 23, 2013 at 4:15 PM
Do you remember a few years ago when that young single mother in Oklahoma was on the phone with 911 telling them someone was coming thru her door? The police were about 20 or more minutes away. She did what she had to do to protect her baby and herself. Period. You gonna wait that long to protect your family? Good luck.
January 23, 2013 at 1:13 PM
there is too much censorship on this site.
January 23, 2013 at 3:25 PM
Way to much censorship.
January 23, 2013 at 1:15 PM
KTLA – PLEASE check the reliability and credibility of your sources. Leticia Garcia is married to a convicted (incarcerated for 27 years) gang-banger murderer of two people. Of course she doesn't want guards to have guns! I have children and grandchildren and bless those who risk their lives to protect us. If you want to check the truth of what I am saying, see the following articles about Garcia (formerly Leticia Chavez):
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2051664/L…
http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2011/10/jas…
January 23, 2013 at 1:16 PM
Only 3% of firearm murders are committed with rifles. A rifle was not used in the CT killings. NBCC was the only network to report on this fact. All other news outlets ignored it for their liberal agenda.
http://tinyurl.com/bh9a37z
January 23, 2013 at 1:17 PM
ADAM LANZA USED HANDGUNS ONLY!
January 23, 2013 at 2:37 PM
(D) California. You are a pretty trusting sheep." Oh no. not me " is exactly what you will be saying while you and your family are being attacked
January 23, 2013 at 4:38 PM
This is all really ridiculous. So the district can afford $14,000 on weapons for school police but they can't afford couselors or school supplies? Just the thought of that is completely absurd.
January 23, 2013 at 6:15 PM
What is a counselor going to do?!
January 24, 2013 at 6:13 AM
better yet, a counselor wouldnt only cost $14,000!!! What school supplies are you short on?!?! As a senior, arent you supposed to come to school PREPARAED!! It is not the teachers, or anybodys else in the districts responsibility to make sure you have school supplies! It is the responsibility of you and your parent! This generation of gimme gimme gimme and take take take have a rude awakening coming!
January 23, 2013 at 6:36 PM
I'm from Fontana and there's a lot of crazy people over here…..school do not have counselors, so we do have more troubled teens….this idea sound really good to me…Go Skyhawks!!!!
January 25, 2013 at 6:18 AM
This is a test post please ignore.