Do clear bags make school safe?

School supplies aren’t the only materials students are putting in their backpacks with the new 2023-2024 school year opening up. Everyone carries other things, such as electronics, personal hygiene products, and miscellaneous items. All these things are safe in the comfort of their closed and sturdy backpacks. During the summer break, this privilege was challenged by Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) after presenting that clear plastic bags were mandatory shortly before it was called off.

Transparent bags are not new to the world, specifically plastic transparent bags, which were introduced in the fashion industry around the 1950s-1960s with plastic handbags also being brought into the world as early as the 1930s. These bags were made using plastic Lucite, a synthetic polymer. Nowadays, bags of this material are required for specific people at stadiums and venues to protect their artists, sports players, attendees, etc. In some rare cases, school districts will have a clear bag policy, such as the Newport News Public Schools.

“If we had clear bags, everyone would be able to see what I have in my bag, like my wallet, feminine products, and more,” said Deerfield Beach High School junior Katelyn Valvosa. “Anyone could hide anything in their clothes as well, and then what next? Clear clothes?”

It seems to be a popular opinion for students to think that this policy would’ve been useless. Many students have different preferences for what they’d like their backpack to look like and feel like. Choosing one is just as invigorating as having an individual fashion style.

Yet, due to a load of mishaps during the past school years, the school district ultimately decided to test the waters by announcing that for the 2023-24 school year, only clear backpacks and bags would be allowed on school campuses. Due to the backlash this decision was getting, the county scrapped the idea. On the other hand, the removal also caused many debates between parents and students. Parents claimed that without clear bags, kids would sneak anything and everything inside the school and put others in danger.

“[I] Don’t think it would help anything.” Communications and Broadcast Arts (CBA) teacher Adam Radecki said. “Kids could still hide weapons in between books and folders.”

The concept of these backpacks creating an uproar with not just the students but also parents in the county wasn’t much of a shock. Even if the bags became mandatory, many are in agreement that there would always be someone who could find a way to bring danger to the campuses. It’s up to the state to decide if they want to keep making more easy-to-break solutions or target the problem from its source.

Written by Julianah Cha Pit | Graphic Designed by Jennifer Landaverde

Published September 1, 2023 | ePathfinder | Perspectives