Disclaimer and Legal Notices Foreword by Dr. Scott Poland Preface About the Author I. Understanding and Managing School Safety 1. The Evolving Threats to School Security The School Security Threat Continuum Internal and External Threats to School Safety Assessing Threats and Prioritizing Risk Reduction Roller Coaster Awareness, Policy, and Funding: The Biggest Ongoing Threat to School Safety 2. The "Politricks" of School Security Denial, Image, and Underreporting Awkward Circumstances Encourage Downplaying of School Safety Reality, Not Rhetoric 3. Comprehensive School Safety Planning and Leadership School Safety as a Leadership Issue Getting on the Same Page Overcoming Denial Financial Obstacles School Safety as a Public Relations Tool Community Ownership Tools for Balance Risk Reduction Framework II. Proactive School Security: Focusing on Fundamentals 4. School Security Assessments Assessment Definition and Use Assessment Expectations, Best Practices, and Levels Who Should Assess Avoiding a Template Approach to School Security Assessments Focus Assessments on More Than Hardware and Manpower Evaluation Methods and Identifying Policy-Practice Disconnects Areas That May Be Evaluated in a School Security Assessment Benefits of Assessing 5. School Security Strategies and Issues Administration Building, Board Meeting, and Support Site Security Adult-Originated Violence After-Hours School Security: Activities and Community Use of Schools Arming Teachers and School Staff Athletic and Large Event Security Bomb Threats and Suspicious Devices Cell Phones, Camera Phones, and Text Messaging Computer Security Measures Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Drug-Sniffing Dogs Election Day Security Elementary School Security and Aggression by Younger Students Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and School Safety Gangs Hotlines and Other Anonymous Reporting Lockers and Bookbags Personal Safety Personnel and Internal Security Physical Security Private, Independent, and Charter Schools Probation Officers in Schools School Resource Officers, School Police Departments, and School Security Departments School Security Equipment: Metal Detectors, Cameras, and Other Technology Sex Offenses Student Involvement in School Safety Planning Student Searches Special Education and School Safety Suicide Tasers and School-Based Police Officers Theft Training Staff on School Security and Emergency Preparedness Transportation Security Trespassing Truancy Uniforms and Dress Codes Vandalism Zero Tolerance and School Discipline 6. Managing Bullying: Focusing on Supervision, Conduct Codes, School Climate, and Mental Health Strategies Defining Bullying Bullying: One Threat on a Broad Threat Continuum The Mythical Attribution of Bullying as the Cause of School Shootings Bullycide, the Media, and the Contagion Effect Practical Anti-Bullying Strategies: Supervision, Security, Discipline, and Criminal Law School Climate Strategies Mental Health Support for Students Cyberbullying and Sexting Anti-Bullying Communication Strategies Political Hijacking of Bullying for Broader Social and Political Interests The Case Against Anti-Bullying Laws 7. Preparing Schools for Terrorism The Terrorist Threat to Schools: Soft Targets Domestic vs. International Terrorism Overcoming the Denial, Fear, Politics, and Naysayers Heightened Security Procedures for Schools Biological and Chemical Threats General Considerations in Times of Terrorism and War 8. Managing School Safety on Tight Budgets Practical School Safety Considerations on Limited Budgets Budgeting for School Safety, Security, and Emergency Preparedness Low-Cost and No-Cost School Safety Strategies 9. Parents and School Safety Practical Things Parents Can Do to Assess School Security and Emergency Preparedness How Parents Can Reduce Child Safety Risks at Home Steps Parents Can Take to Address School Safety Concerns III. Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools 10. Early Warning Signs of Violence Concerns and Caveats Checklists and Gurus We Are Federal Agents and We Are Here to Help You Early Warning, Timely Response Frontline Observations Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment Issues Another Call for Common Sense 11. Assessing and Managing Threats Threat Assessment Protocol Limitations 12. Lessons Learned From School Crisis Incidents Be Prepared, Not Scared Priority One: Emergency Preparedness Prevention: An Equal Priority Deal With Small Problems School Climate Overcoming Student Denial A Switch From Snitch Listen to Kids and Parents Rely on Local Data Why Suburban White Kids Kill Train Emergency Service Personnel Thinking Security When There Is Not a Crisis Buyer Beware: Overnight Experts, Gurus, and Gadgets 13. Emergency Preparedness Planning and Preparation Four Phases of Emergency Management Normalization Nonsense The Process Emergency Guideline Documents The Preparation Pulling It All Together 14. Emergency Response and Crisis Management Emergency Response: The First Half Hour Roles and Responsibilities Specific Considerations for Before, During, and After the Emergency Service Personnel Response 15. The Postcrisis Crisis: Managing Media and Parent Communications Managing Cell Phones, Text Messaging, and Social Media Developing Your Message: Parent Expectations After a Safety Incident An Inside Look at The Business Side of Today's Media Traditional School District Parent and Media Management: It Doesn't Work Today Getting Out Front on School Safety Communications Media Crisis Communications Guidelines Crisis Credibility and Reputation Management Lessons for the Media on Covering Ongoing Crises 16. Preparing for the Postcrisis Crisis: Managing Mental Health, Security, Financial, Operational Continuity, Liability, and School-Community Political Issues Mental Health Support for Grief and Healing Security and Emergency Preparedness Postcrisis Demands Financial and Continuity Of Operations Plans for Crisis Response and Recovery Litigation Preparedness School-Community Postcrisis Politics IV. Future Directions 17. State, Federal, and Academic Support for School Safety State-Level Strategies The Federal Role Colleges of Education Where to Now? References Recommended Readings Index
"The information in this landmark book will reduce school violence and save lives. I recommend it with the highest possible praise." -Scott Poland, Associate Professor and Coordinator of Suicide and Violence Prevention Nova Southeastern University Center for Psychological Studies An all-in-one resource for keeping students safe As concern about school safety continues to escalate, the need for heightened school security has never been more urgent. Educators want practical, cost-effective school safety strategies that come from credible sources and can be implemented quickly. Author Kenneth S. Trump has dedicated his career to making schools safer, and he delivers solutions in a concise and straightforward manner. The book begins with an overview of school security and the politics surrounding it, then provides nuts-and-bolts strategies for preventing violence and preparing for crises. The text covers today's hot topics such as: Bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment After-school, transportation, and athletic event security Managing media and parent communications on safety and crises Practical, cost-effective security and preparedness within tight budgets Although school security can be an emotionally charged subject, this book stresses the importance of collecting data and acting rationally. Included are ideas for working with community leaders, police, parents, businesses, and political officials to improve school and community safety and security. The author's companion website keeps readers current with breaking news, free resources, and interactive dialogue on the latest developments in the school safety field.
Kenneth S. Trump, M.P.A., is the President of National School Safety and Security Services, a Cleveland-based national firm specializing in school security and emergency preparedness training and consulting. He has over 25 years experience in the school safety profession and, has advised school and public safety officials from all 50 states and internationally. Ken served as a school safety officer, investigator, and youth gang unit supervisor for the Cleveland City Schools' safety division. He also served as a suburban Cleveland school security director and assistant gang task force director on a federal-funded anti-gang initiative.