SALT LAKE (ABC 4 News) – The Granite School District is installing cameras on board their school buses as a safety precaution before the start of next school year.
Ben Horsley, a spokesman for the district, said half of the fleet already had the cameras on board for the past several years. The district is now upgrading the rest of fleet with the technology to increase safety.
Last year, the district checked about 100 videos of bus routes in which parents or drivers brought up a concern. Horsley expects that number to double with the additional cameras.
“It helps to be able to have that camera system as a back up in case there is a situation that occurs on the bus,” Horsley said.
The cameras are aimed at increasing the protection of students, drivers, aides or a chaperone on board.
Parents like Kathy Gubler said they are thankful for the extra security. Cameras can provide proof of fights or bullying among other things.
“The school bus is kind of an extension of school until your kid can be home with you safely,” Gubler said.
Three cameras will be installed on the interior roof of the bus; two above the driver and one in the back of the bus.
“I don’t know if it is necessarily going to prevent anything, but if something happens you can resolve it and prevent it from happening again,” Amy Hartner, another mother, added.
The Granite School District services nearly 15,000 students each year.
