After nearly a year of technological perfecting, Shawnee Mission South’s security system is finally complete.

 As of the November of last year, the installation of technology including the Raptor system and new cameras is finally complete. There are now cameras at each door on the building that can be viewed on the many screens within the security office, where Security Officer Greg Merchant spends his day monitoring school entrances.

 “They started last summer, but even when school started we still weren’t up and running,” Merchant said. “We were ready, but the technology wasn’t.”

The final installation was a battery backup that will keep monitors, screens and the Raptor running in case of a power outage. Other important pieces of the security puzzle include the Raptor system, a database that has access to visitors records and information when a valid photo ID is presented, and the many cameras and screens that allow Merchant to do his job of protecting South, and keeping watch on South’s feeder schools.

 “There are no SRO’s at the elementary school’s,” Merchant said.  

With the press of a button, he is able to monitor the entrances of schools including Indian Woods and John Diemer, and able to quickly alert officials if something suspicious or worrying is seen.

 “The officers are always watching and paying attention for us, but unfortunately in this day and age it’s necessary,” secretary Candy Bailey said.

 Merchant said that metal detectors were a possibility.

 “They’ll have to, the way everything is going nowadays,” he said.

Despite all the cameras and technology in the world, schools are still at risk of intruders and tragedies. The only alarming situation Merchant has ever faced at South was a suspicious figure walking in front of the school, but he never came onto school property so did not pose as a threat.

 “This is a pretty safe school,” Merchant said.