School Security by the Numbers – continued from page 4
for Education Statistics in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Statistics has released the 2012 edition of their annual "Indicators of School Crime and Safety" study, which includes several positive findings with regards to security improvements made over the last decade in U.S. public schools. Between the 1999-2000 and 2009-2010 school years, the study found that controlled access to buildings during school hours increased from 75% to 92%. In addition, controlled access to school grounds rose from 34 to 46%, while schools requiring faculty members to wear badges or picture IDs increased from 25 to 63%. The vast majority of schools also seem to be taking the threat of cyber-bullying seriously as 93% of public schools reported that they limited access to social networking websites from school computers, while 91% said that they prohibited the use of text messages and cell phones during the school day. Despite some of the strides that have been made in bolstering school security measures since the late 1990s, there’s still much work to be done when it comes to preventing crime in public schools.
Read More In Newtown, Gun Permits Surge After Shooting
The number of people seeking permits to buy guns surged in Newtown, CT, after the December massacre of school- children by Adam Lanza, even as the parents of some victims had urged stricter weapons laws nationwide. Through July 24, more than 200 people in Newtown got new local pistol permits, surpassing the 171 last year. "I think people realize that you can't call the police all the time and expect them to save you," said Bill Stevens, an avid hunter in Newtown. Others call the surge in guns troubling. "If you look at how many guns the Lanza family had in their home and what that led to, it's a recipe for disaster," said Dave Ackert, founder of gun-control advocacy group Newtown Action Alliance. The local surge is especially sensitive in Newtown. The town of about 28,000 has a sizable population of hunters and sportsmen as well as a base of politically active gun-control advocates that has organized since the Sandy Hook shooting. Connecticut has even expanded its ban on guns that it defines as assault weapons by adding more than 100 models to the list, including the AR-15 rifle, the model used in the attack—a move pushed by some victims' parents.
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The Next Time a Teacher Accidentally Shoots a Student Lawsuits, political firestorms and emotional turmoil will be just a few of the unintended consequences if schools allow teachers and staff to carry concealed weapons. Recently several lawmakers and school districts approved
Newcomerstown to Allow Guns on School Property
A new policy authorizing employees of the Newcomerstown Exempted Village School District to carry guns on school property will go into effect for the 2013-14 academic year. Few details of the plan were released, and Superintendent Jeff Staggs indicated that is part of the intent.
The selected employees must undergo tactical training and be recertified by the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Department every year. They also must have a permit to carry a concealed handgun. Board President Jerry Lahmers said it would be counterproductive if the general public knew the number of people authorized to carry weapons or in which buildings they worked. Factors leading to the decision to arm staff were listed in the board’s resolution — a safety parent committee had recommended the move; all staff members have taken Active Shooter Training from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office; buzzer systems have been installed in all district buildings and school safety procedures have been revamped; the district is using the NaviGate program, technology that assists first responders dealing with emergencies at area schools; and the board has participated in work sessions with the Tuscarawas County sheriff, Newcomerstown police chief, and the Buckeye Firearms Association.
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plans for allowing teachers and staff who are concealed carry permit holders to carry their weapons on campus grounds. Although arguments that support arming school teachers and staff commonly mention the security benefits that are meant to protect students in a mass shooting, the actual ability of teachers and staff to do this must be considered. Allowing concealed weapons in schools places the burden on teachers and staff members to act as potential protectors in the event of a shooting. Placing such a responsibility on individuals that have not received exhaustive training in active shooter situations is an area school administrators must continue to revisit. There is no doubt that an armed teacher will have the opportunity to attempt to protect his or her self and others in the unlikely event of a school shooting. However, the concern for both teacher and school system needs to be the potential of collat- eral damage if a teacher or staff member inadvertently shoots an innocent bystander during a school shooting, if a teacher has an accidental discharge or if a student gains access to a teacher’s weapon and shoots a classmate and/or the teacher.
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