Dec 2, 2019, 5:59 PM
(From SHRM) Recent mass shootings in the U.S. — both inside schools and out — has increased pressure on school leaders to prepare for an emergency, but a growing body of research is challenging the effectiveness of active shooter drills in preventing violence. Two researchers from the nonpartisan Violence Project argue that nearly all school shooters are current or former students of the school, "well-rehearsed in security protocols." Therefore, "building design strategies and active shooter drills are ineffective because the shooter is an insider," wrote Jillian Peterson and James Denseley.
Peterson and Densely suggest that, rather than relying on drills, school boards increase investment in school-based mental health services and in training on crisis intervention and grief management. Another strategy is to be more proactive when it comes to recognizing signs that an individual may be thinking about violence. Experts also point out that there could be legal implications if the school or employer fails to report or intervene against know threats.
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