On May 24, 2022, in the small town of Uvalde, Texas, the unspeakable occurred. A gunman armed with a powerful assault rifle walked into an elementary school and took the lives of 19 students and two teachers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although, sadly, these events are not unprecedented\u2014mass shootings in public places of all kinds have become an almost daily event in the U.S.\u2014 there is always something particularly disturbing about this type of violence taking place at a school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For parents and communities alike, schools are supposed to be sacrosanct. They are places where children go to learn and grow. Schools are supposed to be places of safety, support and positivity. They should not play host to fear and horror like the nation saw unfold in Uvalde, or in Parkland, Sandy Hook or other schools before these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are, of course, great debates in society at large about what to do about this issue. While there might be general agreement about the existence of the problem, there are vastly different ideas about how to tackle it. There is much work to be done on the policy level; issues of gun regulation, mental-health awareness and services, and school funding all need to be discussed and addressed to solve this problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While those debates churn on, what can schools do within their control to maximize the safety of their students and faculty? Every school needs to think about security and develop a plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe perception that \u2018it won\u2019t happen here\u2019 may leave facilities unprepared to manage
an incident,\u201d explains Marc Donahue, director, Agency Partners Programs for EFCO and Wausau Window and Wall Systems. \u201cSixty-two percent of all shooter attack incidents between 1992 and 2012 happened in communities with populations under 100,000. To break that down further, 40 percent of all shootings in this timeframe were in communities with populations under 50,000 and 14 percent in communities with populations under 10,000. The sad truth is that it can happen anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrom my experience, the best electronic monitoring systems you can install or paying police officers to stand at the front doors will not solve the problem. Without properly trained staff paying attention to those systems, they do no good. Staffing is extremely important, as is training.\u201d<\/p>
Bill Herzog, CEO, Lionheart Security Services<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\u201cSchools are, by definition, vulnerable places,\u201d says Johnathan Tal, CEO of TAL Global Corp., an international investigative and risk-consulting firm. \u201cStudents, staff and parents have physical access, but safety resources are often limited. In public schools, the city is usually responsible for providing security, but smaller schools do not get a school resource officer (SRO). Private schools are often even more inadequate when it comes to security. Add to this the psychological impact of a school attack and the \u2018copy cat\u2019 syndrome and you have the perfect storm focused on a vulnerable focal point.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn my opinion, it\u2019s a combination of issues,\u201d says Bill Herzog, CEO of Lionheart Security Services. \u201cThe fact that there is a lack of trained security or law enforcement at so many schools is a problem. In many cases it isn\u2019t so much about a lack of electronic monitoring systems. It has more to do with the fact that schools don\u2019t have a dedicated staff member who pays attention to it. If no one is monitoring the system, it does no good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSecurity is built as a three-legged stool, standing on people, technology and procedures,\u201d Tal says. \u201cThe building and security technology that comes with it, including things like access control, perimeter fences and cameras, make up one leg. But people are the key. When it comes to improving school security, teachers, students, staff and parents are all players that need to participate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Assess the Situation<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to building and occupant safety, every building and every environment is different. According to most experts, securing a school or most any space begins with first understanding the building and exactly what concerns need to be addressed and what risks need to be mitigated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are resources available to schools and design professionals that offer building assessments by subject-matter experts,\u201d Donahue explains. \u201cThese assessments can identify and recommend solutions to address vulnerable areas of the facility and assist with developing an effective emergency response plan and provide training to administration, teachers and staff on how to properly respond when an incident happens. Assessing, implementing and training are all key areas to address to make school facilities safer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u201cSchools should consider creating a threat-assessment team,\u201d Tal suggests. \u201cThese people will ensure the assessment is conducted, is complete, and will acquire resources to address the risks and hazards uncovered. From there, educate everyone, including students, staff and parents, on what to look for in terms of potential threats, what to do if one is detected and to whom to report. The policy of \u2018see something, say something\u2019 is critical and should apply when a threat is reported or perceived.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Assessments are often conducted by building security firms and can help schools develop appropriate strategies. (See \u201cResources\u201d, page 3, for a list of organizations that help administrators in this process.) Once these plans and policies are in place, it is important to practice them. Sadly, things like active-shooter drills have already joined fire drills and become part of the protocol most students experience, and it is important to conduct facility safety drills as part of an overarching strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know schools are providing training and drills, but I do think it needs to be more focused on at this point,\u201d Herzog says. \u201cThere do need to be regular safety drills and conversations that take place in and out of school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National standards could help supply schools with a blueprint for security design, as well as procedures and best practices to follow to best protect the lives and health of students and staff.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Balanced Approach<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Oftentimes, following a tragic event, like Uvalde, the conversation can shift to \u201chardening\u201d schools. This thinking tends to focus on more security equipment and systems at points of entry. Of course, this can be part of the solution, but it is not sufficient on its own. It works in much the same way that balanced fire design relies on multiple strategies to contain, control and prevent fires. Sprinklers alone aren\u2019t a complete solution. School security also requires a multilayered approach, and tougher doors and locks aren\u2019t enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrom my experience, the best electronic monitoring systems you can install or paying police officers to stand at the front doors will not solve the problem,\u201d Herzog says. \u201cWithout properly trained staff paying attention to those systems, they do no good. Staffing is extremely important, as is training.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Part of the issue in terms of people and equipment is funding. Schools are often struggling on just the basics, and security upgrades are no small expense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHistorically, cost has been a limiting factor for many schools in addressing their security needs,\u201d Donahue says. \u201cA building assessment can assist schools in prioritizing upgrades to address their specific needs, which can be implemented as budgets allow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe government is starting to finance school security following recent incidents, which should help,\u201d Tal says. \u201cPhysical security is essential, but without the other two legs mentioned earlier, the stool will not stand. We need to be putting some money into training, obtaining expertise in threat assessment and conducting drills, also.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, there definitely are technologies and systems that, properly applied, can boost the security posture of a school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHaving a camera on every possible access point and hallway is one thing,\u201d Herzog says. \u201cAlso, have alarms on doors that should not be left open. Even if the door is locked, you can put a timer on it for a minute or two so someone can go out but the school knows if it is left open. Another thing I think can help is scanning student IDs as they come in. This could help with attendance and provide information of who is there and who is not in the event something does happen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Standard Practice<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
At this point, each school and each district are essentially left to their own devices when trying to determine appropriate security measures for facilities. There is no official guidance or standardized approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn response to active-shooter incidents, many states have attempted to address school safety by developing guidelines. Unfortunately, there is no consistent national standard for school security,\u201d Donahue says. \u201cThe Whole Building Design Guide <\/em>resources on active-shooter protections cautions, \u2018The lack of guidance documents focusing specifically on active shooter designs will likely lead to varying levels of implementing and reliance on methods and technologies which may not be as effective or cost efficient.\u2019 As national standards are developed and adopted, new standard products will become available that maximize performance, which should allow security upgrades to be more affordable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
National standards could help supply schools with a blueprint for security design, as well as procedures and best practices to follow to best protect the lives and health of students and staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOrganizations and manufacturers recognize the need to address school security concerns,\u201d Donahue continues. \u201cThey have been working to develop nationally recognized testing standards and developing new products to address those test standards. For example, the National Glass Association and ASTM International currently are finalizing the first national standard for addressing glazing and fenestrations for shooter attack applications. NGA recently endorsed the development of the ASTM \u2018Forced-Entry-Resistance of Fenestration Systems After Simulated Active Shooter Attack\u2019 test standard. This will provide the minimum industry-accepted standard for security glazing in schools.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ultimately, all these measures, strategies and investments are necessary as long as weapons of extraordinary power are readily available to just about anyone, regardless of their record or mental state. While lawmakers and voters argue the merits of those issues and how to deal with them, schools and other public buildings are forced to prepare for the worst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf we are not ready to change our concepts about guns, we have no option but to take steps to protect the most vulnerable targets: schools, hospitals, shopping centers and theaters,\u201d Tal says. \u201cThis will cost us a lot, and not just in terms of money. Our way of life will change. Every entrance and every day will have us screened in ways similar to airports, government buildings and courts. Sadly, this is the tradeoff we face if we want safety when we go to school, work, to shop or seek entertainment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Resources <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The following organizations provide resources and information to assist school administrators and building designers in security efforts. Several provide reports and publications that can be helpful to school administrators, and some offer guidance to schools looking for safety assessments and improvements to their security posture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ASIS INTERNATIONAL<\/a>
<\/strong>With members in 155 countries, ASIS is an association dedicated to advancing security worldwide, promoting excellence and leadership within the profession. <\/p>\n\n\n\nASSOCIATION OF THREAT ASSESSMENT PROFESSIONALS (ATAP)
<\/strong>The purpose of ATAP is to afford its members a professional and educational environment to exchange ideas and strategies to address security issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\nNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS (NASRO)<\/a>
<\/strong>This non-profit is dedicated to making schools and children safer by providing the highest quality training to school- based law enforcement officers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n