NCJ Number
229880
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 37 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2010 Pages: 24,26,31
Date Published
January 2010
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article discusses ways to improve campus and school security despite the budget shortfall experienced by many communities.
Abstract
Citing the Columbine school shootings, the deadly rampage at Virginia Tech, and the killing of five young girls in an Amish school in Pennsylvania the article notes that measures that are more effective need to be used to prevent violent incidences from occurring in schools. Given the current economic difficulties faced by police departments and schools, more cost-effective efforts need to be employed to improve school safety. These include: manage incident stress by having a team trained in Critical Incident Stress Management; get involved before the worst happens by forming multidisciplinary teams to monitor students' social networking and paying attention to what the kids are actually saying; and add more manpower by training teachers to react proactively. In addition, the use of other tactics such as better camera placement, locking exterior doors, use of picture IDs for all staff, improved lighting, conducting an annual review and update of school safety plans, and enforce school protocol on behaviors that reduce the likelihood of school violence.