Security Cameras in School Cafeterias
August 5, 2008 – 3:37 am by Nick
Security cameras will be installed in Fairfax County high school cafeterias. The region’s largest school system is looking to prevent the $1.2 million worth of food theft. The region already uses surveillance cameras in school buses and outside school buildings.
The school system’s food and nutrition services department was alarmed after tallying the million dollar loss. Rising food prices and the slowing economy has put a strain on the schools budget, which has to swallow $150 million shortfall.
School officials hope to curve theft and send a message that stealing from the cafeteria is shoplifting. Annandale, Mount Vernon and Westfield high schools and Lake Braddock, Robinson and South County secondary schools will be the first to have cafeteria cameras.
Out of 10,000 high school students, 9 percent admitted to have stolen food. Some schools have assigned staff members to monitor the lunch lines. Chips, drinks, and cookies have also been placed behind the cashier as a precaution.
The $1.2 loss does not include food stolen after hours by employees. These losses are significant to food department working with a $74 million budget. Several employees are earning minimum wage and stealing and the incentive to take food is very high.
Some parents consider the losses too high and that money is being syphoned out of the food department. They stated that the school should pursue stricter punishments for offenders.
