Security at ASL is sufficient

Comic by Zainab Shafqat Adil

In 2016, 25,621 people’s lives were taken due to infamous acts of terrorism carried out by ISIS, Al- Qaeda, the Taliban, Hezbollah, and numerous other terrorist groups across the globe. In addition, key world conflicts in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan have led to the deaths of 2.7 million people. The amount of deaths roughly equals the population of Seattle, Washington in the USA. In 2017, there were five terrorist attacks in the UK. The American School in London has been the central hub of international students of primarily American nationality and it has an obligation to protect its community and it has done this efficiently.

Since the terrorist attacks in London, Paris, and Brussels last year, the world community has ramped up the security of its defense measures.

ASL hires the “best security” that it can offer in the UK, said Mr. Roi Yefet, the head of security. “Our security is second to none.” The security provided at ASL is around the clock and it is maintained by a large group of security agents which have been in the police and in the army. Some members of the ASL security team have served tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Mrs. Appleby, the Head of School asks for a constant review of the security plan and follows the advice of security specialists and the security team led by Mr. Yefet, who said that the school was seeking advice from the United States and Israeli embassies but also working with other specialists who help advise the governing body of the school and the heads of security on how to improve the security plan. Mrs. Appleby said that she has “great confidence in the security plan” and our security guards who do a commendable job protecting the school and its community.

As the threat of terrorism and theft increases, the school must increase its awareness because as the UK threat levels increase ASL must be able to protect its students in the best way it can. The UK government’s current threat level is serious which is a level under critical, only used at times of instability in Europe. This means that when there is a terrorist attack in Europe the threat level is increased. 

Security at ASL is sufficient and that the board of trustees and the school leadership has done a great job keeping the community safe and helps to advise all students to stay as safe as possible.

Security at ASL is sufficient because they are from many backgrounds and have lots of experience. We know this as we are in the center of London and not immediately next to a high- profile embassy, so ASL has to rely on its own security and at times has to be dependent on its own resources to protect its community. Since we have an amazing security team, we are certainly well protected.

The security is appropriate because as the plans are continuously reviewed and the threats updated by the Israeli and American embassies. As there are more attacks on major focus points, ASL is certainly well prepared to handle this immense threat.

About Rudi Stern ('22)

Opinions Editor (2017-18)

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