School Security

This past year Colorado passed two restrictive firearm laws that had no effect on the ability of a homicidal high school student from legally buying a shotgun and ammunition in the days before he acted. Two Colorado legislators who supported the new regulations, which required a background check on all firearm transfers including those between private persons and required that future sale of magazines be limited to those carrying no more than 15 rounds, have been recalled in a public vote and a third resigned when threatened with a recall petition. State statistics show that since the passing of the new background checks laws only 4000 private sale background checks have been requested. Some estimate that over 100,000 private sales/transfers have been conducted without background checks in open defiance of the new law. Similar to our failed "war on drugs" the specter of a "war on firearms" would show large scale disobedience, civil unrest and even terrorist acts like the 168 men women and children killed in the Oklahoma City bombing that was carried out by homicidal firearm rights protestors. Colorado has taken some steps to improve access to mental health services but proposed legislation to even study the possible reporting requirements of mental health professionals to the police when treating homicidal persons was turned down by the legislature. Of course there is a strong argument that states people will stop seeking mental health services if they know they will end up on some government/police data base flagged as a homicidal person. We know the thought that some people "just snap" and become homicidal is incorrect Careful post event analysis will show a number of warning signs leading up to an individual's decision to attack schools, theaters, workplaces etc. However we really only know about the failures of our system to recognize and then legally act upon the individual displaying the warning signs. Due to privacy laws and other restrictions we have limited knowledge of successful interventions and treatments. I would further debate that most successful interventions are not even recognized as that by the mental health professionals providing the treatment and they would be alarmed if they really knew at how close their patient came to acting. When discussing protecting schools most of the time is spent analyzing programs to identify students and others who might be a threat and controlling access to firearms by the insane. I have yet to hear a discussion on the prevention of the deliberate rational group planned attack on a school like we saw in 2004 at Beslan, Russia. There Islamic fanatics seized the school and systemically raped, tortured and killed 380 people including 168 children. Terrorist understand the value of schools as a target and without a doubt they are watching our extensive news coverage on each school shooting to learn and plan an event of their own. It appears that there is only one immediate course of action that will reduce the loss of life in these incidents and that is hardening the target. Schools are beginning to increase security with drills, training of staff, architectural changes, alarms, video cameras and security guards. The Israelis learned this lesson years ago after several terrorist attacks on their school prompted a nation wide program to up grade security and the terrorist attacks on schools dropped almost to zero. Although we need to make the same commitment as the Israelis it is difficult and money consuming task. There are 125,000 schools in the United States. The average size is between 400-700 students but they range in size from 10 students to several thousand. One school in my jurisdiction has only 250 students for all grades and is located in an isolated town that has only one officer on their police department, not one officer on duty but just one officer. Another school in a neighboring county that is even smaller has authorized its principal to carry a concealed firearm with him during the school day as their security program. Just the staffing of professional and vetted school security officers will be impossible for most small schools and the largest recurring security cost to others. Professional executive protection agents can help be a security solution in many schools. Most agents have worked with families and therefore have also worked closely with children. Professional executive protection agents have been trained in identifying persons carrying concealed weapons, identifying potential attackers, understand their role as being a protector not a law enforcement officer and know that most educational setting will require a vigilant but low profile approach to security. What should school administrators do? Carefully consider you security program. Knee jerk reactions to security problems or an incident will result in wasting money. Contact a number of professional security consultants and request proposals to develop a program for you. Don't assign the security program development to a teacher of other staff member that has no experience in the field. Don't install cameras or alarms using in house maintenance staff, use a professional alarm company Do not assume that your local police are also experts in designing and implementing security programs. Security and protection are related to law enforcement but they are a separate field of study and experience. Carefully select your school security officers. Make certain that they have extensive background checks that go beyond just fingerprinting or calling the last employer. There are professional companies that you can contract out background checks to. Physiological testing and interviews and extensive on going training of security officers is critical. What should parents do? Speak to school administrators regarding the security and threat identification programs in place at the school. Understandably they may not share all the details of their program but you should be able to know if they have alarms, video surveillance, security guards and a good training relationship with the local police/sheriff offices. Make sure your school conducts drills of their protection program. If they don't have a security program demand that they start one. Make certain any school security guards are properly trained, vetted and pass psychological testing and interviews. Speak to your children, without frightening them, about why protection is needed in schools and that they should follow the directives of the trained school staff during drills or incidents.

Don't forget about safety and security this Holiday Season

Holidays are a stressful time of year and even in vacation areas we see a raise in crime, mental illness and unfortunate incidents. 1. Take a moment and remember what is important to you and your family. Discuss with your family what really makes a great holiday. Take some time to do something for yourself. 2. Traveling to vacation spots or that second home can be fatiguing. Make sure your caretaker, executive services provider and security are aware of your plans. Make certain they know that you desire well choreograph travel and arrival. Arrange for proper transportation. Shuttles may be more difficult to arrange, late or crowded. Hire a limo, driver or ask your protection/security agents to pick you up at airports. Don't drink and drive. An accident or an arrest can ruin a holiday. Hire security or other skilled, trained drivers to drive your car when going out for the evening or arrange for a reputable and vetted limo service (remember an intoxicated limo driver killed Princes Diana). 3. Remember that criminals do not take the Holiday Season off. Leaving a house full of presents unsecured can be tempting to dishonest service workers or maids and others you allow in your home. Other criminals seeking new “gifts” for themselves will break into houses and cars around the Christmas season. Don’t forget to set your alarm when leaving. Agents hired to watch your home or unknown service workers while they are in your home helps set a serious protection standard for your residence and loved ones that is a deterrent to criminal activity. 4. The number one criminal report during the holidays will be credit card fraud. Check online your credit/debit cards activity frequently during the holiday season or set up alerts with your credit card companies to send you an email when charges are made over a certain amount or at unusual locations. 5. Have your executive protection agents advance any location you might be traveling to so you know beforehand how to get a hold of doctors, dentists, veterinarians, security and other persons you may need to assist you if illness or other emergency arises. Plan ahead, set personal goals vacation goals, rely on well vetted companies and individuals to assist you and allow yourself the pleasure of a relaxing holiday season.