GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — It’s now been more than one year since the Green Bay Area Public School District implemented a mandatory clear backpack policy.
The change came after a handgun was found in a student’s backpack at Preble High School.
A year after regular backpacks were banned from grades 6-12, students are weighing in.
“When it first happened, it was a shock. I mean, we didn’t really think it was going to stop anything. I mean, I guess it’s really just the same. I mean, nothing’s really changed, honestly,” Green Bay Southwest High School Sophomore Elijah Pukel said.
“Personally, I don’t really mind it, but I definitely thought it was stupid at first because I like to have my own backpack, my own style,” Southwest High School Junior Charlie Richards said.
Last year, Green Bay Police responded to Preble High School on Sept. 9 after a fight broke out.
A 16-year-old male was taken into custody for bringing a loaded firearm to school.
The clear backpack policy took effect on Sept. 22.
On Thursday, other students say they feel like the clear bags have added an extra layer of security during the school day.
“I feel like it is good for the safety and everything, but I also feel like it’s good for people to like have their own privacy about their own things and what they have in their bag. But if it is something like unsafe, then it definitely is good to have your backpacks,” Southwest High School Junior Lincoln Pleasant said.
Pleasant said the clear backpacks aren’t as durable and he’s already dealt with broken pockets.
He also said being able to see inside the bags makes it easier for students to steal from one another.
“Valuable things like colognes and like air pods, like I got air pods stolen. So yeah, that is pretty bad. That’s like the only bad thing about it. Like people like stealing your stuff,” Pleasant said.
Some students would like to see other safety measures put in place, like metal detectors.
A year later, clear backpacks may be the new normal, but students still have mixed feelings about whether they’re worth it.
