Since the recent renovation, electronic surveillance at BHS has dramatically increased.

The number of security cameras has gone from 24 to over 60.

“Over 50 infractions were solved by utilizing the cameras,” wrote Assistant Principal Ryan Patti in an email.

These infractions include students skipping class, students leaving the building and students getting in fights.

When an incident is reported, Patti uses the camera footage to investigate..

“There have been things that have occurred where the camera caught it,” Patti said.

In the case of theft, the police might become involved.

“Depending on what it was, when it took place and who witnessed it…I’ve notified law enforcement countless times about incidents this year,” Patti said.

School administrators are always there to assist law enforcement officers with investigations. They could ask for student information or for access to camera footage. The police always have the ability to review the camera footage as well.

According to Beachwood School District Treasurer and Director of Finances Michele Mills, the cameras were installed during the renovation. Penn Ohio electrical contractors did the work as part of  their $5 million contract.

According to Patti, the cameras can be pulled up on any laptop at any time. The cameras, manufactured from IQeye smart camera systems, are digital and therefore more user friendly than older systems.

The IQeye web site features products similar to our cameras such as the Alliance-mini and the Alliance-mx. These cameras are described by the web site as having a two-way audio capacity, on-camera storage and wide dynamic range. Other features differentiate the two cameras.

“This is something that  you’re going to find in just about every relatively new school building across the nation,” Patti said. “Both previous schools that I worked in had camera systems in place. Beechwood’s camera systems are much more user friendly and advanced than others.”

Some students support the use of cameras in the school.

“I’m pretty sure the security cameras have probably filmed really awkward moments of me from time to time, but I’m pretty sure the guy behind the camera really doesn’t care,” wrote sophomore Inkyu Kim in an online message.

“Say the worst actually occurs in Beachwood and there is a shooter,”  he added. “I would much prefer to have someone behind a camera see me trip on nothing than have our police officers not know what is going on in an emergency.”

“They make me feel safer while I’m in the school building knowing that someone is there watching,” wrote freshman Sandford Hong, also in an online message.

Others have more mixed feelings about the security cameras

“I’m not doing anything at school that requires much privacy, I’m there to learn,” wrote junior Hannah Firestone. “While the cameras aren’t my favorite, I recognize their necessity, especially with all the news of school shootings.”

“As long as there are no cameras in the bathrooms, I’m perfectly fine,” wrote Kim.

While some places are sacred, it is clear that there are few places in the school where students have complete privacy.

“As the students know, I always like to reference the cameras as much as possible,” Patti said.