Children deserve evidence-based school safety, not to become part of the next high-tech experiment. Just because technology exists doesn’t mean it belongs in our schools.
The latest school security trend involves remotely operated drones equipped with pepper spray, strobe lights, sirens, and other tactical features designed to respond to active shooters.
While some may call it high tech innovation, I see a proposal that raises serious operational, legal, safety, and ethical questions that deserve far more scrutiny than they have received. Recent pilot programs in several states have generated national headlines, but headlines should never replace evidence-based decision making.
In my newest article, I examine the practical realities behind the marketing. Among the questions every school leader should be asking:
- Can remote operators accurately identify the shooter during the chaos of an active attack?
- What happens when pepper spray affects innocent students, teachers, or first responders?
- What are the implications for young children and children with special needs?
- Could school-operated drones interfere with police tactics or emergency response?
- Where is the independent evidence that these systems improve outcomes?
- Are schools becoming testing grounds for the next high-tech security product before the risks are fully understood?
After more than four decades working with schools across the country, I’ve learned that meaningful improvements in school safety come from strong leadership, well-trained people, sound planning, and evidence-informed practices, not simply the newest shiny object.
If you’re a school board member, superintendent, principal, school safety director, policymaker, or parent, I encourage you to read the full article before your district considers investing taxpayer dollars in this emerging technology.
Read the full article:
Weaponized Drones in Schools? Why Pepper Spray Drone Programs Are a Dangerous School Safety Experiment
Dr. Kenneth S. Trump is President of National School Safety and Security Services
National School Safety and Security Services
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