How can we improve security to avoid school shootings?

Question

As you may know, yesterday a shooting occured at Success Tech here in Ohio. And a few months ago, a shooting at Virginia Tech broke out. Not to mention Columbia and other shootings. What can we do to prevent this from happening? Initiate random locker/bag searches throughout the week? It seems impossible to avoid such a spontaneous event like that, but what do YOU think could be done?

Plus, the kids who do the shootings are usually described as weird or left out. Usually they've already had a bad record with police/school authorities. Do we keep a close eye on "weird" kids? It's now becoming hard NOT to stereotype.

Checking for weapons seems like a good idea, but EVERY student? EVERY morning? It seems like a tiring and thorough process that would take way too long. Lol, yes better parenting would help too. It's sad to see a society where some parents don't even talk with their kids anymore. =/

Answer 1

Stop glorifying these shootings through the media. When the kids see a news item on school shootings they want to copy them to get their 15 minutes of fame.

Answer 2

Kids are getting lost in these huge schools. Go back to small schools where each kid knows he matters. The teachers know the kids better. The kids need green space and exercise. They need trees, flowers, They need to be nurtured and these huge schools can't do it. Maybe home schooled kids need to be together in smaller schools, taught by people the parents choose. Maybe education needs to be totally revamped, and schools brighter and happier. Maybe the only thing that can go in and out of a school is homework in a see through pouch. Gym clothes are tagged and washed on site, and lunches, breakfast, snacks are supplied to all, but are paid in advance with the amount depending on parents income. Maybe parents need to unite and build their own schools like habitant for humanity. I don't think there is any law saying what school your child must attend. Parents need to take responsibility, decide what their children need, and make sure they get it.

Answer 3

The bad guys prefer unarmed victims!!.
When seconds matter calling 911 and asking the bad guy to wait is not a viable option.

Better to have a gun and not need it than to need it and not have it!!!
**Police do not protect you from crime, they usually just investigate the crime after it happens.**

So you are against the private ownerships of gun! Do you believe in fire extinguishers? Why, you can always call the fire department!!


No Weapons Allowed
Criminals this is a defense free zone
All law abiding people have been disarmed for you

Answer 4

Wouldn't a better question be, how can we get these at risk kids in and make them feel someone cares about them?
How can we change our thinking to include the notion that all humans have value, not just the best students or the sped students who use up a lot of district resources?
This country was able to change its negative treatment of blacks and other minorities due to a national commitment to change.
Can't we establish outreach programs that include peer support, a gathering place with recreation available and kids trained or aware of diversity?
It won't work to drag kids in and treat it as a police problem. Sooner or later they get released, only now they have another resentment to nurse.

We can't surround ourselves with fencing and gates and armed patrols in all our schools. Who wants that? That doesn't fit any quality of life scale that I want.

Answer 5

In all of the school shooting the school's have known something. I think the school's should start listening to the students!! If a kid says that billy is going to bring a gun to school tomorrow and shoot everyone, TALK TO BILLY! They are blowing too much off. When I went to high school, a kid said he planted a bomb and that the school was going to blow up the next day. They shut down the school the next day, and sure enough found a bomb. He didn't make it right though, so it wouldn't have ever blown up. But what If it did??? Schools should be taking more precautions.

Answer 6

Looking at these as security issues, misses the point.
Metal detectors & locker searches create a fortress mentality.
What is needed is more vigilance & prevention techniques.
There were many clues missed in the cases you cited.
The individuals were 'disturbed' & being picked on.
People also saw suspicious things & didn't report them.
We all need to care for one another, & look out for bullies.
Countries like Iraq & Afghanistan are the result of bullying.

Answer 7

Yes. Parents can start by pressuring schools to hire educated, well-trained, polite, respectable people for security posts, and pay them accordingly instead of hiring the low-class scum that for the most part makes up the security staff in public schools.

Answer 8

people are often intolerant of the different or unique kids and they get picked on thier whole life then turn a little nuts. I think our youth needs to be taught tolerance. some of the smartest and nicest kids are those nerdy one that dont dress preppy and party with the popular kids. another thing is parents giving less attention to thier children. they dont seem to care these days. neglect and abuse seems to be on the rise. often the picked on kid who is neglected or abused by his parents tends to turn a little nuts. what should be done: interventions for those students. teaching to all students about tolerence and stuff like that.

Answer 9

Faculty NEEDS to concentrate on ALL the children in their classes. Try to know things about their students. Try to be open for the kids, so they know they have someone to talk to. Be more observant. Unfortunateley, it will be the picked on, quiet, not many friends, student that will be a higher risk. Try to reach out to the students.

Answer 10

Even with the security we have in place we will continue to have shootings in schools. It's not a police problem, it's a problem with our society and there is no easy solution.