Steps to Prevent School Violence

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Steps to Prevent School Violence

• Steve Wilder, BA, CHSP, STS
• Sorensen, Wilder Associates
• Bradley, IL

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When We Discuss School Security

• What local incident comes to mind?

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Myths and Facts

• MYTH
• School violence cannot be prevented
• FACT
• Violence is Preventable
• There is no guarantee that schools with active
  violence prevention programs will see a
  reduction, but on average schools with aggressive
  programs will see less disruptions, and in all
  likelihood there will be fewer chance of a
  serious incident

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Myths and Facts

• MYTH
• The smaller the school, or the smaller the
  district, the less the risk. We know our kids
  and their families.
• FACT
• There is no such thing as a lesser risk. Every
  school is vulnerable, regardless of school size,
  community size, or type (public, parochial, etc)

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Myths and Facts

• All we have to do is find the right fix we need
  in our school
• Choose any one metal detectors, zero tolerance,
  ID badges, escorts, technology
• FACT
• There is no single quick fix. School security is
  a systematic process that must be addressed in
  four critical areas

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The P2T2 Approach

• A school security plan invokes four critical
  areas
• PEOPLE
• PROGRAMS
• TRAINING
• TECHNOLOGY

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The P2T2 Approach

• A school security plan invokes four critical
  areas
• PEOPLE
• PROGRAMS
• TRAINING
• TECHNOLOGY

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PEOPLE

• People
• Employees
• Selection criteria
• Background investigation
• Drug screening
• Performance monitoring
• SROs
• Exit interviews

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PEOPLE

• People
• Visitors
• Backgrounds
• Supervision
• Criminal history
• Legitimacy of visit

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PROGRAMS

• Focuses on developing and implementing the right
  security programs
• Written security management plan
• Individual security policies
• Assignment of responsibilities
• Crisis management
• Post-incident response
• Comprehensive security assessments

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TRAINING

• Focuses on security knowledge of staff
• Physical protection of people and property
• Security staff
• Non-security staff
• SROs
• Training on personal safety and protection
• Defusing aggressive behavior
• Security awareness training
• Proprietary vs. contractual security services
• Performance based contracts

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TECHNOLOGY

• Making sure we use the right equipment to
  complete the process
• Access Control systems
• CCTV systems Integrated design
• Alarm systems
• Communication / Intercom systems
• Lobby / Visitor Management systems
• ID systems

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OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Parking lots
• Utilization
• Lighting
• Security vs. Convenience
• Sporting Events
• After school functions
• Contractors
• Parent teacher conferences
• Community violence / gang activity

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BEING PREPARED

• Have a written emergency action plan that
  addresses all perils
• Drill the plan realistic drills
• Continuous quality improvement approach to drills
• Review plans annually
• Update as needed

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BEING PREPARED

• Identify hazards
• Natural hazards
• Severe Weather
• Technological events
• Explosions
• Power Outages
• Man-made
• Arson
• Terrorism

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BEING PREPARED

• Assess risks a qualified assessment
• Security vulnerability assessment
• Qualified outside professional
• In-house self assessment team
• Frequency and severity of risks
• School risks vs. community risks
• Coordinate with community disaster plan and
  community emergency response agencies

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BEING PREPARED

• Establish a command structure
• Develop School Incident Command System (SICS)
• Train staff, administrators, and school board on
  their role
• Coordinate with community plans
• NIMS training for all administrators

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BEING PREPARED

• Recovery and Continuity Plan
• Managing the media
• Establish a team of well qualified mental health
  professionals to work with faculty, students, and
  families
• Educate parents on how they can assist

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DRILLDRILLDRILL(then drill some more)

• Stagger the scenario dont drill the same thing
  over and over
• Tabletop exercises (TTX)
• Full scale exercises (FSX)
• Hotwash all drills

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QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS?
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Sorensen, Wilder Associates

• 111 N. Michigan Ave.
• Bradley, IL 60915
• 815-933-5977
• swa_at_swa4safety.com
• www.swa4safety.com

Raelynn Roman
Steve Wilder Raelynn Roman