After Newtown… Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools

Education’s Own Insurance Company No reference materials? Please us at Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools2

Education’s Own Insurance Company Introductions Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools 3 Marisa Randazzo Managing Partner, Sigma Threat Management Associates Ray Thrower Director of Campus Safety, Gustavus Adolphus College Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools

Education’s Own Insurance Company Roadmap Part I—Threat Assessment  Overview of Research on School Shooters  Best Practices for Threat Assessment Teams Part II—Physical Security and Crisis Planning  Best Practices for Promoting Physical Security  Key Considerations for Crisis Planning Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools4

Education’s Own Insurance Company Research on School Shooters Joint Project of the…  US Secret Service  US Department of Education Examined 37 incidents of targeted violence in K12 schools  December 1974 to May 2000 Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools5

Education’s Own Insurance Company Key Findings of the Safe School Initiative Prior to most incidents, other people knew about the attacker’s idea and/or plan to attack. Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools6

Education’s Own Insurance Company Key Findings of the Safe School Initiative In 81% of the incidents, at least one other person had knowledge of the attacker’s plan. In 59% of the incidents, more than one person had such knowledge. Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools7

Education’s Own Insurance Company Most attackers engaged in some behavior, prior to the incident, that caused concern or indicated a need for help. Key Findings of the Safe School Initiative Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools8

Education’s Own Insurance Company Key Findings of the Safe School Initiative In 93% of the cases studied, the attacker engaged in some behavior, prior to the attack, that caused someone to be concerned. In 76% of the cases, at least three people were concerned by the attacker’s behavior. Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools9

Education’s Own Insurance Company Most attackers were known to have difficulty coping with significant losses or personal failures. Many had considered or attempted suicide. Key Findings of the Safe School Initiative Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools10

Education’s Own Insurance Company Key Findings of the Safe School Initiative 98% of the attackers had experienced or perceived some major loss prior to the attack. 80% of attackers had a history of suicide attempts or had suicidal thoughts prior to the attack. Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools11

Education’s Own Insurance Company Most attackers had no history of violent or criminal behavior. Key Findings of the Safe School Initiative Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools12

Education’s Own Insurance Company Most attackers had access to and had used weapons prior to the attack. Key Findings of the Safe School Initiative Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools13

Education’s Own Insurance Company Key Findings of the Safe School Initiative Nearly 2/3 of attackers had a known history of gun use. Nearly 70% of the guns used in attacks came from the attacker’s home or that of a relative. Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools14

Education’s Own Insurance Company Incidents of targeted violence are rarely sudden, impulsive acts. Key Findings of the Safe School Initiative Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools15

Education’s Own Insurance Company What Is Threat Assessment? “ A process to identify and respond to students, faculty, and staff who may pose a danger to others or themselves or who may simply be struggling and in need of assistance and resources.” Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools16

Education’s Own Insurance Company Overview of the Assessment Process Does the person pose a threat of harm to self of others?  Has the person developed an idea to harm?  Has the person developed a plan to carry out the idea?  Has the person taken any steps to carry out the plan? Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools17

Education’s Own Insurance Company Why Use Threat Assessment? Recommended by:  FBI, Secret Service, Department of Education, and Department of Defense  Numerous professional associations  Several state task forces examining school and campus safety Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools18

Education’s Own Insurance Company Key Components of a Team Focus  Students  Employees  Third Parties Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools19

Education’s Own Insurance Company Key Components of a Team Sample Mission Statement Provide a repository for information about behavioral concerns of employees, students, and third parties across different departments to identify individuals in distress as early as possible Gather and assess additional information about individuals of concern so that the institution can devise an appropriate response Recommend interventions and case management strategies that connect individuals of concern with needed resources and de-escalate any threat Assist in educating the school community about the types of behavior or concerns that should be reported to team members Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools20

Education’s Own Insurance Company Key Components of a Team Composition  HR  Head of security and local police  Health, medicine, and/or counseling  Dean of students  Residence life  Student discipline  Academic affairs  Head of finance and risk management Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools21

Education’s Own Insurance Company Key Components of a Team Training  Threat assessment training  Tabletop exercises  Legal training  Lessons learned  Educational webinars, conferences, or other programs Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools22

Education’s Own Insurance Company Q&A Student Threat Assessment Teams: Putting the Pieces Together A monograph addressing best practices for threat assessment teams Online Course: “Student Threat Assessment Teams” Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools23 Explore these UE resources at

Education’s Own Insurance Company Part II Best Practices for Promoting Physical Security Key Considerations for Crisis Planning

Education’s Own Insurance Company Best Practices in Physical Security Conduct a safety and security assessment  Proactive not reactive  Establishes a baseline Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools25

Education’s Own Insurance Company Areas to Review in a Safety and Security Assessment Buildings and grounds Transportation Communication modes and plans Crisis or emergency operation plans Management of the institution’s security personnel or department Training on crisis plans and security-related policies Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools26

Education’s Own Insurance Company Best Practices in Physical Security Considerations when selecting an in-house vs. outside expert  Do in-house personnel have adequate knowledge of best practices?  In-house can be less expensive, but consider how many internal resources will be devoted to the assessment Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools27

Education’s Own Insurance Company Best Practices in Physical Security Consult with counsel before conducting a campus security audit. Fear of liability should not prevent an institution from doing the right thing. Inaction may not be considered “reasonable behavior.” Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools28

Education’s Own Insurance Company Best Practices in Physical Security Risk Manager or CFOFacilities Personnel Head of School or PresidentLocal First Responder Build relationships and involve others in school or campus security Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools29

Education’s Own Insurance Company Best Practices in Physical Security Secure Entrances and Exits  Ideally, those entering and exiting will be visible by the main office  If entrance and exit visibility is not possible, consider other security options Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools30

Education’s Own Insurance Company Best Practices in Physical Security Secure Entrances and Exits  Exterior Doors  Monitor all exterior entrances when they are open  When possible, direct traffic through a single entrance Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools31

Education’s Own Insurance Company Best Practices in Physical Security Secure Entrances and Exits  Interior Doors  How easily can doors be locked?  Retrofit locks to lock from the inside Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools32

Education’s Own Insurance Company Best Practices in Physical Security Secure Entrances and Exits  Considerations for windows Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools33

Education’s Own Insurance Company Best Practices in Physical Security Secure Entrances and Exits  Managing visitors, contractors, vendors, and volunteers  Signage  Badges  Visitor Management System  Training Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools34

Education’s Own Insurance Company Crisis Planning Communications  Need multiple ways of communicating--both high and low tech  Plan for how to use the different communication modes Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools35

Education’s Own Insurance Company Crisis Planning Issues to Address in the Crisis Plan  Purpose of the plan and definition of a crisis  Roles and responsibilities  Emergency contact information Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools36

Education’s Own Insurance Company Crisis Planning Issues to Address in the Crisis Plan  Think beyond active shooter and consider addressing:  Fire  Weather  Bomb threat  Hazardous material  Civil disturbances Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools37

Education’s Own Insurance Company Crisis Planning The plan is a living document and should be updated Training employees on your plan is critical Regularly practice your plan Involve local first responders Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools38

Education’s Own Insurance Company Crisis Planning Practices for avoiding common pitfalls  Understand and incorporate the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS)  Designate an emergency operations center (EOC) Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools39

Education’s Own Insurance Company Crisis Planning Final Takeaways  Common challenges for all crises  Communication  Leadership  Resources  Crowd and traffic control  Planning and training Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools40

Education’s Own Insurance Company Q&A Press *1 to ask a question by phone Or your question Top Strategies for Enhancing Security at Schools41