Southern Lehigh High School has installed cameras in the cafeteria and lobby to prevent food fights and increase security. Following a school safety audit last year, school directors decided to install the cameras for the first time in district history.

Through the cameras, the administration hopes to ascertain the source of food fights in the cafeteria, and expects that they will not affect general school procedures.

“I don’t expect that the cameras will affect our normal operations,” vice principal Mr. Mark Covelle said.

The school directors are considering installing cameras in other locations in the school and possibly in other schools in the district; the board facilities committee is looking into the expenses as well as locations that would be most useful.

Some board members are opposed to allowing cameras to be put up just anywhere in the school. However, most board members and even some students feel that the cafeteria is an area with enough past problems to make it necessary.

“In a way they are justifiable because if we do have another food fight that would cause more problems for the cleaning staff,” sophomore Molly Loomis said.

Although most school directors and administrators feel that the cameras are beneficial, students have had a mixed response. Many students feel that the cameras impose upon their lives or feel that more trust should be placed in students than to require them being constantly watched.

“I don’t like the fact that they don’t trust us enough that they have to record us,” Loomis said.

Other students feel that the cameras have justifiable reasons for being implanted and expect them to have a more positive effect on the school.

“I feel that they’re there for a reason… there’s nothing wrong with little safety measures,” freshman Fiona Bultonsheen said.

A new era is coming into Southern Lehigh High School, with regard to the ways administration keeps students in check.