Thursday marked two years after the tragic shooting at Oxford High School. Following the incident, many wondered how schools in Michigan have improved their safety and security. Jason Russell, founder of and president of Secure Environment Consultants, joined CBS News Detroit to discuss what has been done at the state level.
There are several hurdles that schools face when it comes to school safety. First, it’s funding. When state money is available, it’s a great way for schools to make a strong effort towards safety and security initiatives; however, when funding is removed, we have to think about how we can make this sustainable for the long term. Second, it’s about belief. Tragedy can happen anywhere and there are many who still believe that it may not happen within their districts.
When it comes to school safety and security, everyone needs to be involved…the students, the parents, the school staff and of course, the community. Tragedy impacts all of us and it’s important to support each other through the grief and continuous change.
When asked what is most important when it comes to safety and security, Jason Russell states, “It’s about mental health. It needs to start with behavioral threat assessment teams and community resources to intervene and help students get help and get off that path towards violence.”
Prevention is critical when it comes to school safety and security, but it’s hard to prove the hard work that is being done when nothing does happen. “We need to stay the course and to keep focusing on the importance of student well-being and safety in all of our policies and procedures,” says Jason Russell.
To read more, visit: https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/video/breaking-down-school-safety-security-in-michigan-2-years-after-oxford-shooting/