Security Concerns Arise at Phoenix School Following Incident
A troubling incident at Orangewood Elementary School in Phoenix has led to heightened security concerns. Just days after a man was apprehended for allegedly sexually assaulting a student, a staff member has been placed on administrative leave.
Authorities report that Abel Kai Gblah infiltrated the school on November 19. It is alleged that Gblah, a former student of the school from 2012 to 2015, entered the premises through an unlocked interior lobby door alongside a tardy student. He is accused of luring a student into a classroom where the assault took place.
Gblah’s criminal record shows two prior convictions for sexual conduct with a minor in 2021, and he was still on probation at the time of this incident. His unauthorized entry has prompted the school district to re-evaluate its safety measures.
School’s Response to Security Breach
Principal Emily Paterson addressed the situation with a statement emphasizing the school’s commitment to reviewing and improving its safety protocols. She stated:
We understand how alarming this situation has been and want you to know that we are reviewing every aspect of our safety procedures and communication to ensure that an event like this does not happen again. Some of the immediate steps we have begun include:
- Reinforcing procedures for greeting guests and ensuring all visitors sign in;
- Ensuring staff ID badges are worn and clearly visible;
- Reviewing protocols for securing the lobby;
- Retraining staff on interior security, including locking all classrooms.
In addition, a member of the District Security Team will be on campus for the remainder of the year, and we are applying for a School Safety Grant to secure a School Resource Officer.
At the district level, our leadership and crisis teams are conducting an extensive debrief. All district staff will participate in refresher training on school safety during our districtwide professional development day. The WESD security team will also be researching improved visitor management systems to implement across all schools.
The district’s proactive measures include the presence of a District Security Team member at the school and an application for a School Safety Grant to fund a School Resource Officer. Furthermore, the district plans to enhance visitor management systems across all schools.
As the investigation continues, the community remains on alert, prioritizing the safety and security of all students.
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