In our ongoing effort to enhance the safety of educational environments across the nation, Protecting Our Students, Inc., and our innovative platform, SITE| SAFETYNET℠, remain at the forefront of addressing school safety challenges. Through our dedicated websites, ProtectingOurStudents.org and SiteSafetyNet.org, we strive to keep the community informed about the latest trends, incidents, and innovations in school safety. March 2024 has been a pivotal month, marked by significant developments that underscore the challenges and progress in our collective mission to protect our students.
David Riedman, a leading authority in school safety data analysis and the creator of the K-12 School Shooting Database, has once again provided invaluable insights into the state of school shootings in the United States. With 24 shootings reported on K-12 campuses in March, a decrease from previous years, we are reminded of the complex landscape we navigate in our quest for safer schools.
One of the month’s key highlights was the conviction of the Oxford, MI, school shooter’s father for manslaughter, a reminder of the legal and moral responsibilities that accompany gun ownership. Launching a new open-access Tableau dashboard offers an unprecedented tool for analyzing school shooting data, empowering educators, policymakers, and safety professionals with actionable insights.
The attempted school shooting plot in Springfield, MA, averted through timely intervention, emphasizes the importance of community vigilance and the role of law enforcement in preventing potential tragedies. This incident, coupled with the unrelated shooting of 11 students in Philadelphia, broadens our perspective on student safety, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies that extend beyond the schoolyard.
Handguns, the most common weapon used in school shootings, present a particular challenge due to their ease of concealment and accessibility. The revelation that some AI-powered metal detectors fail to detect handguns reliably underscores the need for robust and effective security technologies.
We are dedicated to addressing these challenges head-on at Protecting Our Students, Inc. and through our SITE| SAFETYNET℠ platform. Our mission is to provide educational institutions with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to create safe learning environments for all students. By leveraging data, technology, and community engagement, we aim to build a future where school safety is a given, not a goal.
A summary, part of our blog series, is more than just an update on the state of school safety; it’s a call to action. We invite educators, parents, policymakers, and all stakeholders to join us in this vital mission. Together, we can turn data into action and make our schools the safe havens they are meant to be.
For more insights and updates, visit our website and join us in our unwavering commitment to protecting our students.
Robert Jordan
Founder, Protecting Our Students, Inc.
SITE| SAFETYNET℠
