Introduction
If you are reading this as someone who is at all involved or responsible for the security of an educational facility, you’ve likely had a conversation about this particular incident and your organization’s capabilities to prevent something similar.
How do you think your systems and protocols would have performed?
The latest incident in San Bernardino could have occurred in almost any educational facility in the country and stopping a such a determined and capable individual from causing extreme harm is practically impossible.
However, we CAN prepare to limit loss if such an incident does occur. In today’s world such occurrences are reported more and more frequently, at all types of venues, and in every corner of the country, and planning ahead for this type of incident is vitally important.
Consider this: In the past 10 years, 20 years, 50 years, when is the last time you heard of a child or staff member dying in a school fire?
The answer: Zero.
Conversely, in the last year alone, how many times have you heard of an assailant taking the life of one belonging to one of these people groups?
Background
On April 10th, 2017 a 53 year old man entered North Park Elementary in San Bernardino, California. In an apparent murder-suicide due to a domestic dispute, the man shot and killed his wife (a special education teacher at the school), a child standing behind her and himself during the incident. A second child was wounded and is making a full recovery.
Due to the San Bernardino terrorist attack two years prior, new and extensive policies and procedures were set in place to manage entry points to the facility and classroom; and some safeguards were deployed within the school. Not published is whether or not policy was written that would have stopped the aggressor prior to entry to the classroom, or such policy was simply not followed. What is known is that the aggressor identified himself as being related to the victim – and was allowed entry to the classroom. Once inside the classroom, the only thing stakeholders could do was attempt to control the amount of loss that occurred (which they did).
Ultimately the enraged 53 year-old man took his own life within approximately 6-8 minutes of the incident.
Analysis
The most important take-away from this event? Such an incident, however likely or unlikely, could have occurred in almost any educational facility in the country. It is also one of the most difficult threats/hazards to defend against.
Some things that didn’t happen during this incident are also worth noting:
· The perpetrator did not have highly advanced weaponry.
· The perpetrator’s focus was on one target (the victim) not the entire facility.
· This was not a coordinated attack w/other aggressors – neither on the site of the incident, nor along with other sites in the area’s proximity.
· Law enforcement was in close proximity and available during the incident.
· The perpetrator took his own life.
Had any of the above gone any other way, it is likely much more loss would have occurred and a hostage situation could easily have developed.
The Point?
The likelihood of a similar event occurring in any educational facility is, in most cases, low. However, doing nothing in preparation for one is NOT an option. Nationwide, law enforcement and security professionals all agree, there are reasonable measures educational and similar institutions can and should take to either limit loss or deter a similar aggressor’s actions within the boundaries of their facilities.
A response for each threat/hazard identified as a concern, should be prepared.
Where does EPS Security come in?
Over the last 60+ years, EPS Security has dedicated itself to providing it’s education partners with solid information needed to secure their sites. Our team takes an exceptional amount of pride in understanding the unique security challenges of schools systems and other educational facilities. Which is one of the reasons we have a dedicated Educational Practice Security Consultant.
Our goal is not simply to think through this type of incident, but also to apply the process to other threats/hazards (ie: environmental, loss prevention, violence, etc) that could impact your facility, staff, students, and visitors. Whether or not it pertains to our electronic security products and services, EPS Security is dedicated to providing our educational institution partners and the communities they serve with a high level of understanding and commitment to their protection needs.
Upcoming articles will look more closely at areas you may wish to consider reviewing for your facilities. We will look at such concepts as the “Five D’s of Defense” and how developing layers of security is critical in creating comprehensive and agile protection for school facilities.
Learn More
Our team hosts routine Lunch & Learns and product related presentations specific to School and Educational Facility security. If you are a school security decision maker interested in attending one of these events, please contact our EPS Security’s Education Practice Lead, Larry Shattuck at LShattuck@EpsSecurity.com. You can also subscribe to our news feed to receive updates on Home, Business and EPS related Security news by submitting your email address at the top of this page.
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