Staying Safe — “America’s Crime Prevention Column”
with
Bruce Mandelblit
The recent terrible shooting incident at the University of Alabama that left 3 dead and others wounded has put a powerful spotlight on the issue of school violence.
It’s a dreadful nightmare for every student, faculty member and their families: An unspeakable act of merciless violence on a school campus that results in the deaths and injuries of innocent students, staff and faculty.
Unfortunately, such terrible events take place on a regular basis throughout the nation. After such horrific events, one always asks the question, “Can future violent school tragedies be prevented?”
The US Secret Service, in their ground-breaking report, “Safe School Initiative,” produced in the aftermath of Columbine, determined the following ten findings that perhaps can provide crucial insights about preventing possible future acts of school violence:
•Incidents of targeted violence at school rarely are sudden, impulsive acts.
•Prior to most incidents, other people knew about the attacker’s idea and/or plan to attack.
•Most attackers did not threaten their targets directly prior to advancing the attack.
•There is no accurate or useful profile of students who engaged in targeted school violence.
•Most attackers engaged in some behavior prior to the incident that caused others concern or indicated a need for help.
•Most attackers had difficulty coping with significant losses or personal failures. Moreover, many had considered or attempted suicide.
•Many attackers felt bullied, persecuted or injured by others prior to the attack.
•Most attackers had access to and had used weapons prior to the attack.
•In many cases, other students were involved in some capacity.
•Despite prompt law enforcement responses, most shooting incidents were stopped by means other than law enforcement intervention.
For more information on this comprehensive school safety report, go to: SecretService.gov.
My Final Thoughts: Of course nothing can predict with complete accuracy the potential for future school violence, however efforts by the Secret Service and other concerned organizations can help to provide school administrators and faculty with possible indicators to help identify students and others who may have the propensity for violence.
Further research and study are needed in this vital area of school violence prevention as our children and young adults are our country’s most precious and irreplaceable resource.
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Copyright 2010 by Bruce Mandelblit
Bruce is a nationally known security and safety journalist, as well as a recently retired, highly decorated reserve law enforcement officer.
Bruce blogs on www.CrimeZilla.com
This column is provided for general information purposes only. Please check with your local law enforcement agency and legal professional for information specific to you and your jurisdiction.
The information in this article is provided “as is”, with all faults, expressed or implied. The author and/or publisher and/or copyright holder makes no guarantee regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information. In no event shall the author and/or publisher and/or copyright holder be liable for any incidental or consequential damages, punitive damages, lost profits, and/or any indirect damages.
