Blog Archives

Thanksgiving prayers to those who protect children and schools

Posted by on November 28, 2013

I am blessed to be surrounded by wonderful family, friends and colleagues. They are my best supporters and as deserved at times, my best critics. Our school safety consulting team is comprised of school security and communication experts who are not only great, experienced professionals, but more importantly who are great parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, […]

Sandy Hook school shooting report: New lessons or old lessons revisited?

Posted by on November 25, 2013

A much anticipated report on the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings is due out Monday afternoon. The Connecticut State’s Attorney will present a summary report on the shooting, although the release of the full Connecticut State Police report continues to be delayed. The tactical response of Newtown Police and other first responders will likely receive a […]

Hallelujah (Chicago Musicians Care) – A Gift to Sandy Hook

Posted by on November 19, 2013

The one-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings is only weeks away.  Many look for ways to offer their prayers and memorial gestures to those who lost their lives and to their families. I was blessed to have Kevin Tenbrunsel, the co-founder of the Chicago Musicians Care organization, reach out to share with me their […]

Ken Trump provides insights into school security camera failures

Posted by on November 14, 2013

Columbus, Ohio, investigative reporter Paul Aker of 10 Investigates (WBNS) sat down with Ken Trump to get an inside look at school security camera equipment malfunctions — a problem we see around the nation during our school security assessments. Ken Trump Visit School Security Blog at:  www.schoolsecurityblog.com Follow Ken on Twitter @safeschools Visit and “Like” Our Facebook School Safety News Channel at: www.facebook.com/schoolsafety

School bomb threats: Are principals putting students at-risk?

Posted by on November 3, 2013

School administrators appear to be evacuating and closing schools more often in response to bomb threats, but such actions are not always consistent with best practices for bomb threat response. Moving students away from the school and sending them home often meets the emotional security needs of some educators and parents. But doing so could […]

ALICE training and run-hide-fight: Are students and educators risking injury?

Posted by on October 29, 2013

If trainees and trainers are being injured during A.L.I.C.E. training and run-hide-fight programs, should we be worried about children being hurt when educators and students are taught to throw things at, and to attack, armed gunmen? Are principals, superintendents and school boards aware of, and prepared to take on, this responsibility and potential liability? Questions about student […]

School safety lessons: A teacher survives an active shooter

Posted by on October 23, 2013

Monday’s shooting at Sparks Middle School in Nevada ended with the tragic death of a math teacher and the student/shooter, and the injury of two other students. The teacher, Michael Landberry, a Marine and National Guard member who served multiple tours in Afghanistan, reportedly intervened in an effort to get the shooter to put down […]

When school security consultants have hidden product vendor affiliations

Posted by on October 14, 2013

A public school district in one southeastern state spent more than $2.3 million in security equipment and upgrades at the recommendation of an outside security consulting firm. A school district in the Midwest received a school security consultants’ proposal that included a unique line about assessing door hardware as a part of the consultation process. […]

Select school security consultants as if lives depend upon it

Posted by on October 7, 2013

How can school superintendents, school board members and business managers distinguish credible school security consultants from a growing pool of overnight experts and opportunistic, less-qualified individuals offering school safety services? This question was posed to me by a veteran local and state-level education administrator concerned by the growing number of people offering school security assessment […]

School safety post-Sandy Hook: Proven, tested strategies prevail

Posted by on September 29, 2013

For the past nine months, our team of school security and communications consultants have maintained a steady approach and methodical voice of reason while serving as an anchor to superintendents, boards and principals who are facing a tidal wave of school-community emotion on safety issues. We have focused on proven prevention, preparedness, response and communications […]