School Safety Expert on Preventing Shootings & Prioritizing Mental Health

Improving Response to Tragedies

• 🚨 The response aspect of active shooter situations appears to be improving, with police on the scene more quickly.
• 😔 It is sad that the primary celebration after these tragedies is the improved response, rather than preventing them.

Proactive Prevention Strategies

• 🎯 The focus should be on identifying behaviors and intent of individuals before they commit harm.
• 🧠 There are often signs, symptoms, and worrisome online behavior that leave a digital footprint before an incident.
• 📚 A review of past incidents, like the Covenant Christian shooting, shows a pattern of behavior over years.

Addressing Mental Health and Gun Access

• 🇺🇸 There's a need to prioritize mental health in the country and stop making it a partisan issue.
• ⚖️ Legislation should hold gun owners, especially law enforcement, responsible if their weapons are made accessible to individuals who then commit crimes.
• 🏫 Investing in more counselors on campuses should be a priority, similar to investing in campus officers.
• ⚠️ Concerns exist about states moving to lower the age to own a handgun to 18 from 21.

The Impact on Youth

• 😥 America's youth are traumatized and desensitized by the frequency of these events.
• 💬 This has become common, but it doesn't have to be; a more responsible approach is needed.