After the Columbine shooting, Secret Service researchers and the Department of Education implemented the Safe School Iniative and offered suggestions for schools and parents. "Because information about these attackers' intent and planning was potentially knowable before the incident, some attacks may be preventable," the Secret Service says.

"However, because the time span between the attacker's decision to mount an attack and the actual event may be short, quick responses are necessary."
• Understand that violence is the end result of a process, which is understandable and often discernable. Students don't snap.
• There are no accurate or useful profiles of school shooters. Focus on thinking and behavior, not traits.
• Targeted violence stems from an interaction among attacker, situation, setting, and target. Pay attention to the role of bystanders, people who know what is going to happen.
• Use an investigative mind-set. Rely on the facts of this specific case. Corroborate key information. Investigate communications. Talk to the circle of friends. Investigate weapon-seeking.
• Each case is different. Each requires an individual, fact-based approach.
• Reduce barriers to students telling what they know.
• Because many students brought in guns from home, consider issues of safe gun storage.
• Don't look only for threats. Many students who posed a threat did not threaten.
• Improve handling of grievances.

This post is provided by SafePlans (www.safeplans.com), an all-hazards preparedness solution including emergency plans, staff training, and detailed site mapping.

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