NCJ Number
149267
Date Published
1989
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This report discusses school security issues and suggests preventive measures to reduce the chance of violence on campus and actions to take to respond to a crisis.
Abstract
In 1987, 183,590 people were injured as a result of violence on school grounds. Schools have used a variety of measures to improve security. Recommended prevention strategies include coordinated planning, comprehensive crisis management plans, the establishment of a school communications network, regular staff training, use of parents and community volunteers to aid in patrol and supervision, limited access points to school grounds, and programs to teach conflict resolution and good decisionmaking. Crisis plans should define personnel responsibilities clearly; provide for effective communications with students, parents, staff, law enforcement personnel, emergency medical services, the media, and hospitals; include bus drivers in staff training programs; provide identification badges for district and school staff who are handling the emergency; and brief and constructive communications with the media. Schools also need to address posttraumatic stress symptoms and the grief process among students through counseling centers and other measures. Schools should also take specific actions in response to clusters of suicides or suicide attempts. List of resource organizations and reprints of media articles