Friday, January 18, 2013
The Keystone Oaks School Board approved school security guard Beth Padden to seek certification to carry a firearm.
The Keystone Oaks School District security guard will be allowed to carry a firearm in school, and the school board also will discuss options for making the buildings safer. The Keystone Oaks School Board voted 7-1 Thursday evening to approve school security guard Beth Padden to carry a firearm. Board member Dave Hommrich voted against the measure. Board member Robert Brownlee did not attend the meeting. “For her to be security and not be armed would be putting her at a disadvantage if something would happen, God forbid,” school board President Marian Randazzo told Dormont-Brookline Patch. “It also gives us more flexibility if Aaron Vanatta would be out of the building. That way we wouldn’t be without security.” School police officer Aaron…
Friday, October 26, 2012
A bullet found at Keystone Oaks Middle School last week was brought into the school by a student, district officials said.
A bullet found in a hallway at Keystone Oaks Middle School last week was brought into the school by a student, who now is being disciplined for the action, district officials said Thursday. A single 9 mm bullet—but no weapons—was found near the locker area of Keystone Oaks Middle School on Oct. 19. The middle and high schools were temporarily under lockdown while the district enacted its Emergency Action Plan. School police officer Aaron Vanatta said officials looked at surveillance footage from cameras in the middle school hallways to determine which student was responsible. The student later admitted bringing the 9mm bullet, typically used in handguns, to school in a jacket pocket, Vanatta said. The student is being disciplined by the …
Monday, March 19, 2012
With regard to recent tragedies at schools and in public locations, the Keystone Oaks School District continues to re-evaluate and improve its own safety plans.
It’s been less than a month since a fatal shooting occurred at Chardon High School, near Cleveland. Even more recently, Pittsburghers were shocked by a tragedy closer to home, when a shooter opened fire at Western Psych in Oakland. With the severity of these events in mind, Keystone Oaks School District officials are working to ensure that security measures are in place constantly, and are updated constantly, to prevent a similar tragedy from happening in our own neighborhoods. “With those two particular incidents, in Ohio the students belonged there. They went to the school. In the other, where the shooter entered, it was public area. I don’t know what anyone could have done differently,” said Keystone Oaks police officer Aaron Vanatta. “…
MSgt. John DeLallo
2:51 am on Sunday, January 20, 2013
Ann Martin--you've asked likely the most important question of all. "When to use lethal force?" I'm paraphrasing your question, and the answer is grounded in Pennsylvania statute. For most of us who carry for self defense, there is a 4 step process. Escape--a good run beats a bad stand. Conceal--hide. If you look like prey, you will be eaten. Cover--and I mean hard cover, like a building, or the … more ›