NCJ Number
207830
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 31 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2004 Pages: 10,12,14,16,17
Date Published
October 2004
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article discusses school crisis planning and preparedness.
Abstract
As the events that unfolded at Columbine High School grow distant, schools have increasingly become complacent about school security. School officials are cautioned to take school security seriously to guard against a major attack, such as the recent hostage crisis that unfolded in a Russian school. Recent survey findings have revealed that 95 percent of police officers reported that their community schools were vulnerable to a terrorist attack. Schools should develop crisis management plans that are continually updated, tested, and practiced by staff and students. The participation of public safety agencies in the creation of crisis management plans is a crucial component to preparing an effective plan. Building strong partnerships between local safety agencies and school administration will ensure greater student safety. As schools change and grow, the crisis management plans should also change and grow, reflecting the schools’ current layout and lock-down procedure. The article also warns that schools have become too reliant on technology to keep students safe. Used appropriately, technology provides a good tool for school safety but should be kept in perspective and used as an enhancement for safety, not as a substitute for crisis planning.