With the new 25-26 school year, two new security measures have been implemented: the new parking lot and the school. To keep these security measures in place, they have added a new security guard to work alongside school resource officer Amber Kennedy and security guard Kenny Neelon.

“My main job is to make sure that you guys are in class,” new security guard Charles Scully said. “But more so to make sure everyone stays safe, and essentially they’re doing what they’re supposed to do.”
Many students have made a close connection with our security guards, and no doubt feel safer on the premises and in the parking lot with the new changes.

“They make me feel safer because they are here to protect us,” junior Rainey Renolds said. “It’s been different with the new setup in the parking lot, but it helps to keep cars from piling up on the side of the road, which is safer.”
Security guard Neelon is responsible for making sure kids are in class, monitoring the first-floor bathroom, attending to issues in the school, and now monitoring the entrance of the parking lot. He has also formed close bonds with a lot of the students at Abraham Lincoln.

“It’s been great working with him [Charles]. He does the stuff that I couldn’t do, doing it by myself, so having somebody to help, and him being a security guard at TJ last year. So much appreciation for him,” Neelon said. “We are really locking down on the amount of times kids that are entering the building and leaving the building; we shut that down pretty much. Holding teachers accountable with the 10-minute rule, 10 minutes before the bell, 10 minutes after the bell, helps a lot.”

There have been a lot of changes made to the school with the new security, and are no doubt for the best. Regulating students and rules for teachers, providing safety, and making the parking lot safer and quicker to get out of. So thank your security guards the next time you see them.