Canyon Ridge High School has been open since 2009, and even from the beginning we haven’t had security cameras installed within viewing range of any of the parking lots; there aren’t cameras that can effectively capture footage in any of these areas. This is not a new problem–and it is a massive problem not only towards the students and faculty, but to the general public as a whole.
On November 8th, 2024, I was pulling into a parking lot of Canyon Ridge after lunch when a grown and fully-bearded man jumped out in front of my car kicking and screaming profanities. After cracking my window and asking him what the problem was, he threatened to kill me. He then wandered away into the practice football fields. This mentally unstable man was wandering the parking lots of Canyon Ridge, and I alerted the school’s police and security officers. To my dismay, I was told that the cameras on the school could not reach the parking lot, and so they could not identify the man. This lack of cameras is a huge risk upon our community and school.
I’m sure you have also heard countless stories from parents or students about getting involved in hit-and-runs in the Ridge’s parking lots as well–I know I have. For example, in my four years at Canyon Ridge, I’ve been personally involved in two hit-and-runs (that I know of). There have been two separate times over the years where I come out of the school just to see the back of my vehicle mysteriously smashed in–and there’s nothing anybody can do about it. There are also always stories of students getting hit, only for the drivers to make quick escapes and get off scot-free.
The lack of cameras was best expressed by our Student Resource Officer Nay when he stated to my business, law, and ethics class, “People have been complaining about the lack of security cameras in the parking lot since the school has been open.” Like I stated prior, this is not a new problem. The Twin Falls School District has had 15 years to figure this problem out. It’s time for them to finally listen to us and get those cameras installed for our safety.
