Craig Carmoney’s BLOG

Here we are, another day in the United States after a mass shooting as a school in Nashville, Tennessee. This shooting left six dead including three children. Just a few weeks ago, my daughter sent me a text saying that there was an active shooter on the campus at Michigan State University. This is something no parent ever wants to hear from their child and it’s something that must end.

Schools should be safe havens where children can learn and grow without fear of violence or harm. Unfortunately, school violence has become an increasingly prevalent issue in many parts of the world. From school shootings to bullying, the safety of our schools is a critical issue that needs to be addressed.

In this blog post, we will explore some of the ways we can keep schools safe from violence.

1. Address the root causes of violence

To effectively address school violence, we need to understand its root causes. Violence in schools can be caused by a variety of factors, including poverty, mental health issues, and access to firearms. By addressing these underlying issues, we can create a safer school environment.

One way to address the root causes of school violence is through early intervention programs. These programs can identify students who are at risk of engaging in violent behavior and provide them with the support and resources they need to address their issues. This can include counseling, therapy, and other forms of support.

Another way to address the root causes of school violence is through community outreach programs. By working with families, community leaders, and law enforcement officials, we can create a network of support that can help prevent violence before it occurs.

2. Create a culture of safety

Creating a culture of safety in schools is essential to preventing violence. This involves creating an environment where students, teachers, and staff feel safe and supported. One way to create a culture of safety is by implementing a zero-tolerance policy for violence and bullying. This sends a clear message that violence will not be tolerated and helps to deter potential offenders.

Schools can also create a culture of safety by promoting positive behaviors and values. This can include teaching students about respect, empathy, and kindness. By emphasizing these values, schools can create an environment where students are less likely to engage in violent or harmful behaviors.

3. Implement safety measures

Implementing safety measures is another key step in keeping schools safe from violence. This can include both physical and procedural measures. Physical measures can include things like metal detectors, security cameras, and secure entryways. Procedural measures can include things like emergency response plans and active shooter drills.

It’s important to note that while these measures can help to prevent violence, they are not foolproof. Schools should also focus on creating a culture of safety and addressing the root causes of violence.

4. Foster positive relationships

Fostering positive relationships between students, teachers, and staff can also help to prevent violence. When students feel connected to their school community, they are less likely to engage in violent or harmful behavior. This can include things like creating mentoring programs, encouraging extracurricular activities, and promoting positive interactions between students.

Teachers and staff can also play a critical role in fostering positive relationships with students. By taking the time to get to know their students and showing empathy and support, teachers can create a safe and supportive learning environment.

5. Encourage reporting

Encouraging reporting of potential threats or incidents of violence is another important step in keeping schools safe. Students and staff should be encouraged to report any concerning behavior or threats to school officials or law enforcement. Schools should also have a system in place for reporting and addressing potential threats.

It’s important to note that reporting can be challenging for students, especially if they fear retaliation or do not trust school officials. Schools can address this by creating anonymous reporting systems and ensuring that students feel supported and safe when reporting potential threats.

6. Promote mental health and wellness

Promoting mental health and wellness is also essential to preventing violence in schools. Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, can contribute to violent behavior. By promoting mental health and wellness, schools can create a safer and more supportive environment.

This can include things like providing access to counseling and therapy services, promoting healthy habits like exercise and eating healthy.

These are all simplistic answers to a very complex issue, but one that is certainly not being addressed by leaders in this country and hasn’t been for far too long. We must at some point ask ourselves why we have violence in this country comparable to countries that are at war. Mass murders do not have in other civilized countries to anywhere near the same rate that they do in the United States. This must end.