GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) -- The Mesa County Board of Education is looking into further security measures in District 51 schools. Retired Police Chief Rich Bacher proposed implementing armed and/or unarmed volunteers in schools.

"You know the financial burdens to the school district, the financial burdens to a community. I understand that, so what I am throwing out and offering up-- maybe people within the community who have the proper credentials, training background integrity and can pass the scrutiny are physically capable and are willing to dedicate their time," said Bacher.

The workshop was open to community members, and some say they are happy to hear the school district is taking steps toward keeping local schools safe.

"We are in Colorado, and I think kids are exposed to weapons a lot here because of the weapons with hunting and what not. We are an outdoorsy part of the country as opposed to some of the metro areas in the country where it's not so readily acceptable to be in the hunting world, so I think a lot of the kids are exposed to weapons fairly early on by their parents," said resident Merlin Zimmet.

School board members said they plan to create a small working group or committee to further discuss Tuesday nights proposal among other further safety alternatives.