On April 16, 2007 a 23 year old student at Virginia Tech went on a shooting rampage claiming 33 lives and wounding 15 others in what is the deadliest shooting in U.S. history. According to the most recent stats, 301,635,968 people live in the United States.
Every weekday a quarter of the population, 83 Million, attend school and college either as students, teachers or ancillary staff. During the past decade, more than 300 school-associated violent deaths occurred on or near school campuses in America. To date, no U.S. school has been the target of an international terrorist attack. However, schools could be considered a viable terrorist target.
Making our nation's schools safer requires crime prevention, and school violence education. This is greatly needed for the safety of each staff member and student. The reality is so many things are outside the control of the school that such a task is virtually impossible. How do we make our schools safer and feel comfortable knowing their day goes unharmed?
This kind of question becomes a harsh reality with the most recent bomb threats that are reported on a monthly basis. With bomb threats, none have been validated, according to school officials. They are usually a string of similarly related incidents. Largely, high schools and college universities appear to have been the target of the majority of threats. The investigations are the direct result for school system's to consult with State and local law enforcement officials in dealing with threats.
The safety and security of students and staff must be primary concern, regardless of the threat or attack. Each situation presents different challenges, and they must be addressed with careful responses.
Local and States Law Enforcement Officials do a great job handling each situation with utmost concern, and expediency. In fact, all respond swiftly and confidently.
99% of incoming calls, appear to disrupt the school schedule, however, each situation deserves quick and intelligent action not to jeopardize the safety or investigation afterwards. Nothing should harm anything to impede their case.
Nevertheless, any threat or attack must be taken seriously. Any individual who is apprehended is expected to be dealt with severely and appropriately.
All Threats and attack procedure must be recorded to a principal or designee, as well as the director of support services, and any assistant superintendent and/or superintendent must also be contacted. One of these individuals are charged with directing staff to school, and making the decision whether to evacuate the building.
There's a fine line to follow procedures, and these threats may be a prank to get school called off. But, all threats ultimately are addressed with extreme urgency, as they should be. All schools will face new challenges as more legislation clears its way into our culture. As parents and students, we must become more aware of any situation that goes on around us at all times.
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The Author
Abe Cherian is the founder and Project Manager for Multiple Stream
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Abe Cherian is the founder and Project Manager for 
