School Security Awareness

1
School Security Awareness

• Sponsored by PAPSA
• Presented by David A. Gordon
• Thursday, November 29, 2007

2
Incidents of School Violence

• Virginia Tech
• April 16, 2007
• Delaware State University
• September 21, 2007

3
Virginia Tech

• Shooter had history of mental problems
• The alerting system was based on emails, the
  school web site, phone mail and physical
  notification using resident advisors
• There was a two hour delay in notifying students
  after the initial shooting

4
Delaware State University

• The shooter had an argument with the victims
• Students were alerted by phone, website and
  flyers
• The alert was put out within 20 minutes

5
Lessons Learned

• Student problems
• Emergency notification systems
• Immediate
• Routine
• Decisions
• When to sound the alarm
• Plan ahead
• Plan for the variables

6
The Reality of School Shootings

• School shootings are rare, but the resulting
  media publicity causes the public perception that
  it is a widespread occurrence
• Not all school violence manifests itself in the
  form of a shooting

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Planning

• Anticipating events or issues before they become
  a major problem or critical situation
• Participation
• Communication
• Delegation
• Technology
• Identify resources

8
Policies and Procedures

• Clear, Concise, Realistic
• Approval and Support of Students
• Inform and Enforce
• Continuity
• Review

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Worst Case Scenario

• The Active Shooter
• Police Liaison
• School administrators should know the local
  police
• Training and Practice
• Dont wait for the worst case scenario to decide
  what to do
• Staying in place
• Current thinking dictates that students stay in
  place
• Lock Down
• When and How
• Notification

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Physical Security

• The School Building
• The Classroom
• Balancing Security with a Learning Atmosphere
• Conducting a Security Survey

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The School Building

• Access Control
• The human element
• Technology
• Perimeters
• Inside and outside
• Surveillance
• Cameras
• Monitors
• Recording

12
The Classroom

• Internal Security
• Doors and Locks
• Windows
• On doors
• Perimeter
• Panic alarms
• Phones
• Push/Pull for help
• Plan of Action
• Where to go in the classroom
• Who calls 911?

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Balancing Security with a Learning Atmosphere

• Transparency
• The students need to know what security is in
  place
• Aesthetics
• Blending security and the décor

14
Conducting a Security Survey

• Purpose
• Ascertain current state of security
• Identify risks and threats
• Policies and procedures

15
Student Behavior Issues

• Aggression and Violence
• Mental Issues
• Racism
• Gangs
• Domestic Problems

16
Recognizing Behavior Problems

• Screening
• History of the potential student
• Background Checks
• Criminal
• Civil
• Interviews
• Knowing the signs

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Managing Behavior Problems

• Training
• Training staff and faculty to recognize and
  manage behavior problems is extremely important
• Head off the problem
• Peace of mind
• Policies
• Managing behavioral issues before, and after they
  occur

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Contact Information

• If you have further questions regarding the
  information presented during this teleconference
  you can contact Dave Gordon at
• DaveAGordon_at_aol.com
• Business phone [phone]