New school security programs in Horry County

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — There are new security programs at middle and high schools in Horry County this school year following last year’s attempted pipe bombing at Socastee High.

The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reported (http://bit.ly/oxxMAy ) there are metal detectors at most schools and at football games. The county has started new telephone and email tip lines where students can report safety concerns.

Horry County police Sgt. Robert Kegler says the lines allow students to speak freely. He says some get nervous going to a school resource officer because they worry it will make them look like snitches.

The new procedures resulted from an incident a year ago when a then-14-year-old Socastee High student brought pipe bombs to school and wounded a resource officer. The teen is serving six years in prison.

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Information from: The Sun News, http://www.thesunnews.com/