The Emery/Weiner School added new guards and officers to their security staff as part of a bold move to switch security companies to better the safety and reliability of Emery’s campus.
Dennis Kuithe, new director of security, hired a local security company, REACKT. “They give me all aspects of the security. They help with all the staffing of the security officers. They have their own training company. They’re all-in-one,” Kuithe noted.
Thomas Peterson, Emery’s safety assistant, had concerns about last year’s company, Janissary. “Budget wise, these guys are much more affordable,” Peterson commented.
After Emery’s campus expansion in the fall and our “growing numbers … we need more officers,” Peterson remarked.
Senior Sydni Washington is concerned about the security at Emery. “We do have an extra target on our backs, considering we’re a Jewish day school. It concerns me a little bit.” Washington reflected.
But, with REACKT’S new staff members, Emery now has six regularly scheduled and consistent employees: three police officers, two wardens, and a security guard.
“You have your level two, which is an unarmed guy. You have a level three, which carries a firearm, and you got a level four, which they do more personal protection.” Kuithe explained, though rarely is the level four officer used.
Director of Campus Operations Angie Gubitz enforced additional safety measures at Emery since REACKT’s recruitment. “We put in a perimeter fence. We’ve taken that regular chain link fence and we’ve replaced it with an iron fence that is going to go from seven access points … that allow you to come in and out of campus … to three or four access points.” Gubitz described.
“They are a top-notch security company. I take this [responsibility] very, very seriously. It’s not a perfect world. You never know what could turn into a threat,” Kuithe asserted. He urges every student to go to him and the rest of the security staff with any concerns or suspicions they see on campus.
The rest of the staff share his sentiments. “We’re aware of the surroundings around us,” Peterson added.
Emery’s security staff feels confident that REACKT’s new safety measures and officers will continue to keep the school safe.
“Today I delivered every kid home safely, and tomorrow it’ll be a different challenge,” Kuithe affirmed.
