BARROW COUNTY, Ga. — An Apalachee High School graduate hopes her online petition will bring more safety resources to help students at her former school and schools around the state.
Gracie Jones said she graduated in 2018. When she heard about the school shooting that killed two students and two teachers in the halls where she once walked, she couldn't believe it.
"Baffling—I would have never thought that that would happen at my school," Jones said.
She now wants something to change because this can't happen again.
“Everyone's like, 'thoughts and prayers.' And yeah, those are good." Jones continued, "That’s not going to really take action. And I wanted some action."
The day after the tragedy, she launched an online petition for metal detectors, mental health resources, K-9 officers and more. Several people who claim to be students signed in support, saying they don't feel safe coming back.
Parents off-camera told 11Alive they also want metal detectors and signed on behalf of their children.
"Clear backpacks, the extra security—they just don't want to be failed again," Jones said.
Her signatures have more than tripled since the launch.
The Barrow County School District's website said:
"We have implemented several immediate security measures, including increasing school resource officers' (SROs) and Georgia State Patrol officers' presence on campuses. We'll evaluate long-term plans with input from local, state and federal law enforcement."
Jones is hoping her voice not only moves district leaders, but state leaders too.
"I hope that a change does really happen--not just for Apalachee, but all of the surrounding schools in Georgia," Jones said.
Jones said there are some disagree with her who said that these changes would make the school feel like a prison. To that she said, the focus is the betterment of student's mental health.