Las Cruces school district buys ballistic shields to keep security guards safe

The Las Cruces Public School District is getting ballistic shields to protect its security guards.

Officials say the district is the first in the country to do so.

While LCPS hasn’t seen a recent spike in violent incidents, officials say its better to be safe than sorry.

The shields are made with similar material police protective vests are made of. Las Cruces Public Schools Safety and Security Coordinator Todd Gregory told ABC-7 security guards in middle school and secondary schools now carry them. He said the shields are knife and bulletproof.

Monday, he demonstrated how they work.

“They fit in backpacks, gym bags and its really simple,” he said. “It takes two seconds to put it on someone or have another staff member help you.”

The shields cost about $70 each. He said the district bought 30 of them. The money came from the safety and security department’s budget.

Gregory said they’re looking to buy more in the future. He hopes teachers and students can one day have them in the classroom.