School Security SOP's/Plans

[skydivr]

Since I can't yet post in the General Discussion Thread...but would like to hear from some of you professionals in the industry..

My daughter goes to a small private school and I happen to know the Headmaster. He sent out a short email to all the parents this weekend attempting to offer them comfort about the school's taking time to review their security plans. It was more fluff than substance, but at least he opened the door.

To be blunt, there is no way this or any other school can prevent what happened last week in Connecticut. If someone wants to bad enough and is willing and eager to die for their cause, it's gonna be neigh impossible. The only hope they'd have is to deter or slow someone down. However, I'm glad to see him give it some thought.

So, I took the opportunty to email him back. Due to the proximity of a military base, and a large population of military and ex-military parents, I told him that he might have a valuable resources in place with those parents who might have SOME experience in these matters (certainly more likely than a bunch of educators). I recommended he poll the parents for those who might have some experience in this area (LEO/Military/Security) and consider a small 'security study group' to look at whatever they may currently have in plans (probably nothing other than call 911 and lockdown) and make some recommedations to the school. He seemed to take some interest in that idea.

I'm posting here to ask for any resources that anyone here might have for research and background materials that might elicit some critical thinking about various passive and active measures that could help. I know this is probably amatureish to some of you, but it's certainly better than what they have now, and the interest is likely to die quickly. Here's a chance to do something good to help make a positive contribution so thank you in advance.

[mikelowrey]

I think that you did an excellent job by taking the initiative and e-mailing him and telling him about a future group to discuss security measure for the school and the children. I personally agree and would love (when I have kids soon hopefully) to work really close to the school where my children would go in regards to security and be able to develop some kind of plan to help prevent future situation such as CT.

I don't have resources at the moment, but I believe to be able to find some, so If I do I will post here. Nothing makes me more happy than to help a parent to prevent future disaster at their children school.

Good Job Dad.

[skydivr]

I emailed him the article about the TX School district that had the "guardian plan" who had armed some of their teachers who went thru some training. Not advocating that here (yet) without a LOT of thought, but certainly could be considered an option and got him to thinking about what other schools have done and what's possible.

[mikelowrey]

I emailed him the article about the TX School district that had the "guardian plan" who had armed some of their teachers who went thru some training. Not advocating that here (yet) without a LOT of thought, but certainly could be considered an option and got him to thinking about what other schools have done and what's possible.

Excellent, I was just reading that and they stated that they been doing it since 07 and nothing has yet to happen, and is not rocket science to know that the formula is working. Invite him to join us here, so that he can see that we are all (gun owners) willing to help the community, because you know they are portraying us like the bad people.

I think you should keep the conversation flowing with him about it, make him do a parents-teaching-principal meeting and discuss the different POV's to come to a good conclusion.

[Hdog83]

Similar situation here (small child in small-ish private school), and I just received a similar email from the chair of the board of trustees of the school saying (in part) that there may be an informal security assessment by an LT from the town PD some time in January:

Lieutenant ____ offered to come to our school in early January to assess our security needs and train faculty and staff on the newest school security methods.

She went on to talk about what they are doing:

Please know that the Board ... will be reviewing current policies and procedures, as well as devising a plan to address facility modifications, in particular to the front entrance to the building, the need for which has become more pressing in light of recent events.

I'm underwhelmed, to say the least.

Since Friday, however, I have been thinking of going in a somewhat different direction from that of the OP: approaching the local Chief of Police (small town with ~40 full time officers, ~8 "specials" and 3 "reserve") or county sheriff to inquire about becoming a "reserve" officer or deputy (sworn) at my own expense. The sole purpose of this would be to enable me (and any other like-minded individuals) to volunteer time at the school as an armed-response-to-active shooter resource. As it would effectively be an unpaid, off-duty "detail", there would be no SRO teaching or other duties - I was thinking of it sort of like a volunteer FAM (federal air marshal) for the school...hopefully low profile/invisible to the students and parents, hopefully NEVER needed, but on site, competent and ready to go nonetheless. Is this a crazy idea?

The reason for going the reserve officer/deputy route was that I was thinking this might be easier for everyone to swallow, particularly if I (and any others) had to undergo the same psych/background/training/whatever as a "regular" officer or deputy, and particularly particularly if the actual firearms qualification standard was (i) substantially harder (e.g., the actual FAM qual, plus harder target ID / shoot-no-shoot) and (ii) administered more frequently.

I'm still in the formative stages of the idea, and I'm well aware of the issues that the CoP and town selectmen might have with respect to handing out another badge, but what does anyone think?

[skydivr]

Similar situation here (small child in small-ish private school), and I just received a similar email from the chair of the board of trustees of the school saying (in part) that there may be an informal security assessment by an LT from the town PD some time in January:



She went on to talk about what they are doing:



I'm underwhelmed, to say the least.

Since Friday, however, I have been thinking of going in a somewhat different direction from that of the OP: approaching the local Chief of Police (small town with ~40 full time officers, ~8 "specials" and 3 "reserve") or county sheriff to inquire about becoming a "reserve" officer or deputy (sworn) at my own expense. The sole purpose of this would be to enable me (and any other like-minded individuals) to volunteer time at the school as an armed-response-to-active shooter resource. As it would effectively be an unpaid, off-duty "detail", there would be no SRO teaching or other duties - I was thinking of it sort of like a volunteer FAM (federal air marshal) for the school...hopefully low profile/invisible to the students and parents, hopefully NEVER needed, but on site, competent and ready to go nonetheless. Is this a crazy idea?

The reason for going the reserve officer/deputy route was that I was thinking this might be easier for everyone to swallow, particularly if I (and any others) had to undergo the same psych/background/training/whatever as a "regular" officer or deputy, and particularly particularly if the actual firearms qualification standard was (i) substantially harder (e.g., the actual FAM qual, plus harder target ID / shoot-no-shoot) and (ii) administered more frequently.

I'm still in the formative stages of the idea, and I'm well aware of the issues that the CoP and town selectmen might have with respect to handing out another badge, but what does anyone think?

You reference to the LE "Reserve Officer" was actually already on my 'brainstorming' list....

[ncturkey]

It is great to some great ideas about how to help schools with security. These are well thought ideas not knee jurk reactions.

[skydivr]

Invite him to join us here, so that he can see that we are all (gun owners) willing to help the community, because you know they are portraying us like the bad people.

uhhh...nooo he's not ready for that yet...baby steps...

[NWPilgrim]

I would bet there are any number of organizations that would do a free security assessment for a school in the current climate. Local law enforcement, maybe even contact your local FBI office to see if they have a resource. I bet even private security companies would be willing to come out and either do an informal assessment, or observe the site and write up a proposal.

The key thing is to get decision makers to focus on the desired outcome: real, physical safety of our kids, not more rules and regulations. Barriers. Armed personnel. etc

The one key thing that seems to be missing from so many of these school shootings is any form of internal security. Seems to me EVERY office and classroom out to have lockable breach-resistant doors and windows that every teacher can lock quickly, ideally electronically with a remote and physically with inside locks. And teachers ought to have communications with the office and each other via intercom broadcast, walkie-talkies, cell phones etc. that have an alert capability.

It may not be practical to totally eliminate the possibility of an armed intruder shooting a couple of people, but they should never be abble to get to any other room in the building or other buildings once the shooting or alert starts.

[Cagemonkey]

Where's the Dept of Homeland Security. With the War on Terror, this is a anti terrorist issue. This tragedy could just as well been a Al Queda wannabe attack. DHS could fork over some funds and schools could hire a LEO or Private Security Contractor.