MADISON, Wis. -- After an incident Tuesday morning where a middle school student shot classmates with a bb gun on a Madison Metro bus, some bus drivers are again questioning their own safety and security.
Security cameras have been approved and ordered for 15 Metro busses.
But some drivers say it will take more than just security tape for the busses to be a safe place.
Driver, Sharon Williams, said adults cause some of the violence, but most, like Tuesday's incident, involve students.
"I'm hoping that it doesn't happen to one of the drivers or another passenger," said Williams.
Williams has been driving a metro bus for seven years.
She said there are other reports of guns on busses and assaults.
"A fight ensued last week on the 18 route again and that driver is out with a dislocated shoulder," she said. "It's getting very bad so we need something to be done now."
The 15 busses slated to get security equipment will have three to four cameras recording the front, middle and rear of the bus.
The video will be monitored at a central location.
Williams believes catching culprits on tape and suspending them from bus service will stop the violence.
"We can identify some of the problem students and get them off, even if it's for a small period," she said. "That will teach them a lesson because warnings aren't working. We've already done the warning thing for years now."
Bus driver Becky Vanderaa believes it will take more than cameras to make a difference on the busses.
"I think cameras will help identify the perp(etrator) but not solve the problem," she said.
"There needs to be a time when they educate each driver on how to deal with certain situations and I think the police department could help and our management at Madison Metro could help with that," said Vanderaa.
A metro spokesperson said driver involved with the BB gun incident did not report it right away like he was supposed to.
That driver will meet with management Wednesday to detail what he witnessed.
The metro bus cameras are expected within the next few months.
Copyright 2005 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.