LACKAWANNA, NY (WKBW) — Thousands of Western New York students will be heading back to class as the school year begins next week, but in the wake of the shooting of Catholic school children in Minneapolis, school safety is once again top of mind.
I visited Our Lady of Victory Basilica and the school, where this tragedy was deeply personal.
“Our kids are coming back next week, we have the same school Mass," said Pastor Monsignor David LiPuma. "I thought about all of our kids. I thought about all of our parents. I thought about all of our teachers.”
LiPuma fought back tears as he thought about Wednesday’s mass shooting.
“What will it feel like when you stand at the altar and look out at those faces, knowing what happened?” I asked.
“Sorry, but that's what I keep envisioning because they are so precious,” Monsignor LiPuma emotionally said and stressed that the safety of students, parishioners, and visitors is top priority.
Security Director Michael Sherry told me they have armed security guards and more than 100 AI-enabled cameras.
“What the AI gives to us is the ability to identify vehicles, persons, sounds, even voices,which is very critical,” Sherry explained. “With our guards. We do tactically, strategically position them, depending on the event, so that they remain mobile, so that they're always in the best position to observe a threat approaching and therefore be able to respond.”
WATCH: OLV in Lackawanna says student safety is top priority after shooting in Minneapolis
Monsignor LiPuma told me they sent a letter to all the school families outlining all their safety measures for both the school and church.
“Let's get something out right away, just let our parents know because they all have the same questions," LiPuma explained. "Actually, a few have called and emailed. Just reminding them that you are our priority and your children are, and we are doing everything we can to keep them safe, but everybody is unsettled."
“Everyone needs to have a heightened and constant state of awareness,” said Erie County Sheriff's Office Lt. Jeremy Lehning.
Lt. Lehning said it is “extremely important” to keep the lines of communication open for parents, teachers, students, and patrol deputies.
“Anything out of the ordinary needs to be scrutinized," he said. "Everything needs to be taken into consideration; nothing should be left off the table when it comes to something like this. It's very, very important.”
Security Director Sherry reminds everyone never to let their guard down, be prepared, and even then, there are no guarantees.
“This is, as everyone realizes, sadly our reality,” Sherry said.
