Protecting the Innocent: Are Our Nation's Schools Prepared for Terrorism on Campus?

• NCJ Number: 209325
• Journal: Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 35 Issue: 1 Dated: January/February 2005 Pages: 25,27,37
• Author(s): James R. Walker Ph.D.; Danny W. Davis Ph.D.
• Date Published: January 2005
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article examines the current state of terrorism preparedness among our Nation’s school campuses.

Abstract

The analysis begins with a review of terrorist activities and strategies during the 20th century. The authors point out that America’s schools are potential targets for Islamic terrorist attacks; of particular concern is evidence unearthed in Iraq that schools in California, Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, Michigan, and Oregon may be targeted for terrorist attacks. The recent Russian school siege that occurred over a 3-day period in September 2004 is described, as are other examples of Islamic terrorist activities, in order to illustrate the salience and gravity of the threat. Results of a survey designed to measure the current preparedness of America’s school campuses are presented. The survey gathered information from 79 campus police executives on the status of terrorism training courses and readiness factors. The majority of respondents (83.6 percent) reported that they were somewhat to not adequately prepared for a terrorist attack on campus. Only 50.6 percent of respondents reported participating in one to two training classes related to antiterrorism, while 43 percent of respondents stated that scheduling and staffing problems effectively blocked training opportunities. Only 22.8 percent of respondents had a specially trained team on campus to deal with terror-related threats. The authors present several recommendations for campus police executives pertaining to advance preparations a campus department should take to reduce chaos during a terrorist attack. Recommendations include developing a written plan of action and providing mock training exercises for campus police officers. Since any school in the United States could potentially become the target of a terrorist attack, it is imperative that campus police departments begin now to prepare for this possibility. Table, references