School Security Research: What the Latest Study Reveals About Public Support for Active Shooter Drills, Target Hardening, and Arming Teachers
A new peer-reviewed study shows public opinion is more nuanced than headlines suggest. The findings reinforce the need for evidence-based, developmentally appropriate school safety policies, transparent communication, and careful evaluation of trade-offs. When school violence captures national headlines, public pressure often drives calls for more visible school security measures. Active shooter drills, target hardening, and […]
Federal Commission on School Safety report rehashes decades-old best practices, adds a few political twists
Statement by school security expert Kenneth S. Trump, President of National School Safety and Security Services, on the Federal Commission on School Safety’s final report: The Federal Commission on School Safety’s final report largely rehashes school safety, security, and emergency preparedness best practices that have been recognized since the Columbine era nearly 20 years ago. […]
School safety post-Sandy Hook: Proven, tested strategies prevail
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 […]
School safety post-Sandy Hook: Context and focus from up close
Even the most seasoned of school safety professionals have struggled to make sense out of the senseless — the loss of 20 children and six school staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. While I do not believe most of us will ever make sense out of it, I have found some […]
School safety post-Sandy Hook: Focus on “How?,” not on “Wow!”
More than nine months have passed since the December 14, 2012, school shooting attack upon Sandy Hook Elementary School in the Newtown, Connecticut, school district where 20 children and 6 school staff members were left dead. The horrific nature of the attack upon our youngest and most vulnerable children — elementary students — served as […]