I was shooting at the range the other day and I was thinking about what I would do if I were in charge of security at a school. Here’s what I came up with:
Single point of entry
Funneling traffic
Avoiding large clusters of people (obviously cafeterias and classrooms are a concern)
Bulletproof glass and walls
Automatic locking doors
Classroom shelters
Resource officers (armed guards)
Training (mandatory for faculty and workers)
Armed and trained adults (teachers and others)
Weapons search dogs. Firearms detection K9s can detect firearms in student vehicles, lockers, and public areas. There are now canines that can be used to detect firearms in large crowds.
Metal detectors
Changing the design of buildings and offices to give better control of visitors and students
My thoughts then drifted to a friend of mine who worked in Israel for several years. He worked with the IDF (Israel defense force) in many areas but also with Israeli police in school protection. He has, and still does, consult with law enforcement, government, and the private sector in security measures and matters. He’s done this for 22 years. These are some of his thoughts. (Thanks Dave in advance for your comments!)
“One of the first things that comes to mind in comparison of Israel and the U.S. concerning school security is mindset. In the U.S. citizens have not had actual war on their soil since the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Even though several terrorist bombings have happened, including 9/11, these are considered terrorist acts. Relatively speaking, U.S. citizens feel pretty safe barring any crime that may occur. With this wonderful 77 years of safety and security we have become lax and non-security minded. We have law enforcement and a strong military that takes care of business in protecting us. Consequently, we don’t think of security so much and many Americans have not been touched by violence or crime at all. This is a good thing except it creates a normalcy bias that can overwhelm us in the face of violence. In my opinion this is why we have haphazard “we have to do SOMETHING!” panic when something does happen. People need to be trained and informed. Teachers and staff in schools need to understand protocols and plans in place. Being overwhelmed by violence only gives away control to the attacker. Law enforcement, legislators, and schools have known about these attacks for decades though they are so rare that little or nothing was ever done about security.
Israel has been under attack for so long that they understand the need and the urgency of school security. I’m not sure the U.S. will ever wake up. In Israel they do not focus on guns, they focus on people and their intent. This is true at schools or at the airport. The Israeli military (where every 18 year old boy or girl must serve for two years), the Israeli law enforcement, and the Israeli people are their first line of defense. Guns are not prevalent like the U.S. But Israel does not have a Constitution guaranteeing rights of the people either. Carrying a gun is a privilege not a right. Yet guns are all over the place. The IDF is everywhere and it is common to see military with automatic weapons. The Israeli people are not scared by this. The American people seem to be intimidated by the sight of a gun. Also, there is a law called Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. This act essentially means U.S. military cannot be used as law enforcement or in civilian roles. National Guard and Coast Guard are exceptions. So it is not often that the general public sees an armed military member. Some of my children have grown up on military bases. They are used to seeing military with not only side arms, but slung rifles. They are not bothered by this like some people. This is a difference between Israel and the U.S.
Israeli schools are not fortresses. They have underground shelters for rocket attacks or natural disasters. They practice for many contingencies all the time. The students have done this their entire lives so it is not new or scary to them. Their drills are interactive, not just kids running to shelter. They have one controlled entry point and the entire campus is fenced. Parking lots are away from buildings to avoid vehicle bourn improvised explosives. The Israeli Police force is in place wherever Israel civilians are in power. They take care of typical police work but also assist in anti-terrorism and are border guards. They have a close working relationship with the military. The school guards work for the police department though they are sub-contractors in a sense. It can be said the civilian law enforcement is civilian, but because of mandatory military service most all have been trained in the military. U.S. has about 19% of law enforcement with military service. Each school gate has a guard house and routine duties are performed by the guards. They log in vehicles and people. They patrol the perimeter. They are the eyes and ears of security. The guard also ensures that buildings are locked and secure. These guards also accompany students on trips away from the school which are limited. They provide a security presence.
Guards are in close communication with teachers, staff, and students. If an alternative plan or route is needed it is discussed with all involved. Even the students are aware of certain parts of the plan so they know what to do if something were to happen. It’s a big team effort. I’m afraid if that were to happen in the U.S. you’d have a lot of scared kids. The only way to change that is to try and change the attitude of parents and adults.”
I appreciate Dave’s comments about Israeli schools and the way they look at security. I do not agree with some who say we should have the same attitudes about guns that the Israeli’s do however. Like I’ve said before, the U.S. had to fight and die for the freedoms that we enjoy and often take for granted. The reason we are a free country is because of our affinity with guns. Many would argue that citizens do not stop government. Some say that our military would crush the armed citizens. Often these are people who have never served in the military. It would be difficult to get U.S. military members to fire upon U.S. citizens. I think you would see a wholesale joining of military members with civilians to fight a tyrannical government. But that would be an extreme case. There is an alleged quote from an officer in the Japanese Navy that Japan did not invade mainland U.S. because of a “rifle behind every blade of grass.” Many dispute that quote but it’s not far from the way it would be in the event of an attack here. I know many would not agree with me, and that’s OK, but I think we’re not all “snowflakes”. This is certainly only my opinion and I don’t expect anyone to go along with me. But if we want a true solution that will actually make a difference in our schools we’re going to have to get serious. Up until now I don’t think very many school districts have even come close. But most are trying. Hopefully they can get up to snuff and soon. I’m sure with the current debate most schools have looked at their security. Changing policy and physical measures is good, but changing the way people think and their mindset is a longer, harder road. But it’s one road every district should go down.
I do admit that I know little about securing schools. But I do know a lot about the security mindset.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
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