Cooperation key to school security, Bush summit concludes

Oct 17, 2006 2:43 PM

After leading a school security summit last week, President Bush challenged the United States last week to turn its remorse into action to keep school children safe.

"In many ways, I'm sorry we're having this meeting," Bush said. "In other ways, I know how important it is that we're having this meeting."

Bush called experts together for a meeting in the Maryland suburbs after shootings at schools in Wisconsin, Colorado and Pennsylvania. In panel discussions led by members of his Cabinet, speakers said the best response is basic: Get parents, school leaders, students and police to work together.

"Our parents, I know, want to be able to send their child or children to schools that are safe places," Bush said.

Bush seemed most struck by one of the points raised by experts: When students plot violence, they often brag about it in advance to other students. Safety specialists say schools must encourage students to speak up when they notice any ominous behavioral changes.

There were no new policies or new money announced. The administration instead touted Web sites of existing resources. Panelists spent the day sharing examples of local programs.

The federal role in school safety is limited. It's mainly a local matter. But the White House, sensitive to the concerns of many parents, wanted to show it was doing something, The Associated Press reports.

Education Secretary Margaret Spellings and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales led three panel discussions. Time and again, speakers said schools get safer when they take bullying seriously, practice their crisis plans, and talk to parents about what's happening.

The number of deadly shootings has gone up and down over the last 15 years, The AP reports. Overall school violence has trended downward, although it has increased lately.

Students in middle school and high school reported about 660,000 violent crimes in school in 2002 -- a 43 percent drop from a decade earlier. But the number rose to 740,000 in 2003, the news service says.

The summit has school security experts speaking out, even those who were not there.

"The most important aspect of school safety is the prevention of homicidal and suicidal acts," says Paul Timm, PSP, who serves on the Illinois Terrorism Task Force's School Security Committee. "Until formal risk management and reviews are conducted and weaknesses addressed in all schools, the laissez faire attitude of 'it won't happen here' will continue to contribute to school violence."

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