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Do Extra Security Measures Really Make Schools Safer?

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Dec. 21, 2012, 1:05 a.m.

On the Department of Education’s Web site, a letter to parents and school staffers reminded them that every school has a safety plan. Some principals sent letters home to reassure parents that they are on top of these safety plans. And some held drills with the students.

WNYC’s Beth Fertig spoke with WNYC’s Marc Garber during “All Things Considered” on Thursday about whether these plans are considered effective. She also shared some thoughts from local students, recorded after the 1999 Columbine massacre, about why mass school shootings don’t happen in big cities.

Beth Fertig is a senior reporter at WNYC. Follow her on Twitter @bethfertig

5 Comments

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Devin Cox December 21, 2012, 7:13 PM

There was a trained, licensed, armed security guard at Columbine High School.
That didn't discourage those two losers from slaughtering their fellow students.

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Jason Brougham December 22, 2012, 5:51 PM

In the Empire State Building shootings last August Jeffrey Johnson killed his co-worker, and several trained NYPD officers guarding the building killed him. They also shot 9 innocent bystanders. When the bullets start flying in an elementary school any guards may kill 9 kids for every intruder they stop.

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David Zelman December 23, 2012, 1:48 AM

Of course not.
Let me present a scenario. A lunatic knowing tht there are armed guards walks into the school. He walks casually by the armed police office holding a gun in his hand. Any kid whose gone to a school knows how to get in and out without being bothered. So you won't need one armed guard you'll need as many as there are entrances to the building, and then you'll also need armed guards who'll cover for the armed guards who have to go to lunch or to the bathroom.
The only difference may be that our own armed guards shooting at the lunatic kill some kids in the process. Isn't it called "collateral damage?"

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Bill Costley December 24, 2012, 6:58 PM

Securely addicted,

gun-addicts fear

Someone will disarm them,

Someone will assault them,

because they're armed,

calling it Freedom.

(24 DEC 12, Santa Clara CA) v5

billcostleybill@aol.com
www.costleybill7.blogspot.com

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Louise Wood December 29, 2012, 6:46 AM

More guns mean more directions the bullets are flying. With the hysteria and people running, how is a guard really going to be able to shoot just the gunman. Less guns, less deaths.

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