In light of the tragic events in Connecticut, I have a few questions that I believe we should all ponder. How have we lost control of our schools? Why do we make school out to be primarily a social event? Why are our children not in school uniforms? Why do we not use trained armed school monitors in the hallways, lunchrooms, assembly areas and parking lots? Do the classroom doors have auto locks to prevent entrance into a class? Do we close down and lock down a school after a certain time in order to control who may enter? Are there panic buttons throughout the hallways and classrooms? Do we on a regular basis have informative awareness classes?
Maybe these questions are in my head because of my job, which is providing security, but it seems simple to me.
It appears that the first thing experts say is going to help is to have more cameras. Well, cameras do help, and they can be very useful when monitored constantly. Moreover, a school monitor would be dispatched to a problem area if they were monitored. However, most of the time they are used to video tape and the tape is pulled when needed. Point is they (cameras) do not stop crime, they film it.
An armed security person can never be a replacement for all citizens being proactive when it comes to school safety. I wish that, as we all do, the tragedy in Connecticut never happened, and we need to address what happened, and what went wrong so that we can put preventive measures in place.
I would think that through a joint effort between the police departments, local security firms, and school administrators we could come up with a statewide system that could be a template for other school districts. We need to implement training programs focused wholly on active shooter events, school safety, child safety, and de-escalation procedures. We need to both train and work with teachers, so that when an incident does occur, everybody does their part to protect the children and themselves. We could have drills set up and involve the parents so that they know how to react to a serious situation at their school.
Parents need classes so that they can learn the warning signs of a troubled child, and if possible, check their computer sites.
People are saying that we need tighter gun controls. I understand what they think that would stop, however, in reality it would not have changed what happened. The only alternative is education, awareness and getting involved. The most important focus in life is the protection of our children. It does indeed take a village to raise a child.
Now we are seeing Congress talk about gun control, but they should change their focus to our schools and what should be done on a physical basis to make them safer. Our government needs to concentrate on the problem at hand and stop appointing more committees that get nothing done.
I have heard much discussion about arming teachers, but I don’t think that’s the solution. Teachers should be with the children, not going after an active shooter, which in my opinion that would be the job of a school monitor and the police.
I hope that I have not offended anyone in regards to my thoughts. I had to express my feelings on this tragic event, and to try to be part of the solution, not the problem.
I welcome any response. Thanks, and I wish that we all take a moment in this New Year and reflect.
By: Jim Doyle, owner of Madison Security Group
