School security: not good enough

[DeanC]

I got this from a friend from his kid's school.

To me, it's not good enough. One guy with a gun is a start. But it wasn't good enough at Red Lake. This is a panacaea. (names have been redacted to protect the wooly bleaters)

Special E-Bulletin

XX Welcomes Officer XXXX XXX

I write with good news about a new addition to the XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX staff.

XX has enjoyed several years of a relationship with the XXXXXXXX Police Department, in directing morning traffic, in assisting at sporting events, in conducting SWAT training on-site, and in other key ways. Effective Monday, Officer XXXX XXX will join XX as a School Resource Officer, providing services full-time during days when school is in session.

Our move to recruit a School Resource Officer was driven chiefly by a belief that a school should do everything it can to reasonably provide for the protection of children, especially in a day and age that brings routine national news of school tragedies. While there is no reason to believe that XX is in any position of danger, our Board of Directors wisely authorized the police presence as a major precaution. Officer XXX will be armed, and will customarily wear civilian clothing while on duty at XX.

While security against external concerns is priority number one, the addition of Officer XXX to XX’s staff will bring many additional benefits. Officer XXX will himself be directing morning traffic, and will also be providing traffic direction at dismissal time—a new and much-needed service at XX. He will be a regular face at our Welcome Desk during several periods of the week, and will be a reassuring presence throughout the school. He will work with administration to improve overall campus security strategies, and will provide resources to faculty and students on matters ranging from internet safety to drug and alcohol use prevention. He wanted me to know that he also enjoys participating with kids in a variety of athletic activities, being himself both an avid speed skater and bicyclist.

Officer XXX brings several years of experience as a School Resource Officer at area schools, and is much appreciated for his rapport with kids and families. I invite you to join me in welcoming him to XX this coming week.

XXXX X. XXXXXXXX
Headmaster

[Aftrshck]

Like you said, its a start....Maybe it would be wise for the districts to start getting more security for the next generation...I would like to see....even security companies involved...however, the security company must pass VERY VERY stringent background checks and must qualify at least the same as an officer with gun handling and techniques....but that is my personal thought process....


~Aftrshck

[DeanC]

I should have noted - this is a private school, a pretty hoity-toity one at that.

[Pat]

I should have noted - this is a private school, a pretty hoity-toity one at that.

In Minnesota?

[dismal]

Armed, but with civilian clothes?

[BRIT_in_the_weeds]

I should have noted - this is a private school, a pretty hoity-toity one at that.

So he has a Colt M4 with an ACOG in the trunk instead of a DPMS with a chinese red dot. and a SIG instead of a Glock.
Sounds like a full time position with bennies too, great start.

Dean, do they have 12 year olds ready for DNR FAS/HE?

[DeanC]

In Minnesota?

Yes, and it does not start with a "B". That's about all I'll say.

[Pat]

In Minnesota?

Yes, and it does not start with a "B". That's about all I'll say.

Well, that knocks out three of them...

I actually like this idea, but agree it is undoubtedly insufficient in a real SHTF scenario. But if it deters one nutcase, it's money well spent.

[David]

Yes, I'm quite certain (having attended one) that neither Blake nor Breck would stand for something like that.

I also note that they appear to be using the guy mostly as a security guard and traffic cop, both of which rank very low on the list of reasons to have an SRO, as any proper SRO will tell you. But as was mentioned above, it's a start!

[Pat]

Yes, I'm quite certain (having attended one) that neither Blake nor Breck would stand for something like that.

I also note that they appear to be using the guy mostly as a security guard and traffic cop, both of which rank very low on the list of reasons to have an SRO, as any proper SRO will tell you. But as was mentioned above, it's a start!

Since you mentioned two of the three "B's," that means it is also not Benilde-St. Margaret's...

[David]

Sure, but they are a Catholic school, and that's a whole different animal! Not exactly a hoity-toity private school, if you know what I mean...

[Pat]

Sure, but they are a Catholic school, and that's a whole different animal! Not exactly a hoity-toity private school, if you know what I mean...

No, I really don't know what you mean. A former headmaster there was my German teacher in prep school.

[David]

Well, my point is that the original poster referred to the school as a "hoity toity" private school. Benilde is a Catholic parochial school, has a president rather than a headmaster, and is not very "hoity-toity" in comparison. As someone who went to Blake from 7th grade up through 11th, and then finished at the very Catholic Hill-Murray, I feel qualified to compare. While Benilde is an excellent school in every way, it has a very different institutional attitude than the other two "B"s. (And that's a good thing.)

I'm not sure I'm making a point really, except to distinguish between them.

[Pat]

Well, my point is that the original poster referred to the school as a "hoity toity" private school. Benilde is a Catholic parochial school...

B.E's A new dictionary of the terms ancient and modern of the canting crew, circa 1700 - "Hightetity, a Ramp or Rude Girl."

Francis Grose's A classical of the vulgar tongue, 1785 "Heighty toity, a hoydon, or romping girl."


Perhaps you are right...

[Woodchuck]

I got this from a friend from his kid's school.

To me, it's not good enough. One guy with a gun is a start. But it wasn't good enough at Red Lake. This is a panacaea. (names have been redacted to protect the wooly bleaters)

Special E-Bulletin

XX Welcomes Officer XXXX XXX

I write with good news about a new addition to the XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX staff.

XX has enjoyed several years of a relationship with the XXXXXXXX Police Department, in directing morning traffic, in assisting at sporting events, in conducting SWAT training on-site, and in other key ways. Effective Monday, Officer XXXX XXX will join XX as a School Resource Officer, providing services full-time during days when school is in session.

Our move to recruit a School Resource Officer was driven chiefly by a belief that a school should do everything it can to reasonably provide for the protection of children, especially in a day and age that brings routine national news of school tragedies. While there is no reason to believe that XX is in any position of danger, our Board of Directors wisely authorized the police presence as a major precaution. Officer XXX will be armed, and will customarily wear civilian clothing while on duty at XX.

While security against external concerns is priority number one, the addition of Officer XXX to XX’s staff will bring many additional benefits. Officer XXX will himself be directing morning traffic, and will also be providing traffic direction at dismissal time—a new and much-needed service at XX. He will be a regular face at our Welcome Desk during several periods of the week, and will be a reassuring presence throughout the school. He will work with administration to improve overall campus security strategies, and will provide resources to faculty and students on matters ranging from internet safety to drug and alcohol use prevention. He wanted me to know that he also enjoys participating with kids in a variety of athletic activities, being himself both an avid speed skater and bicyclist.

Officer XXX brings several years of experience as a School Resource Officer at area schools, and is much appreciated for his rapport with kids and families. I invite you to join me in welcoming him to XX this coming week.

XXXX X. XXXXXXXX
Headmaster

This is exactly right. I'm sure we could all give them another idea!