DUNCAN Okla_ With recent
mass shootings on the rise, many are talking about school safety.
Educators and
law enforcement from all over Oklahoma came to
Duncan Tuesday
to learn new strategies for how to combat intruders without spending a lot of
money.
They turned to a former military man who has spent years studying the
science and psychology of killing. Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman calls it
"Killology". He said it can help reduce violence in society and
improve the outcome of violent encounters.
7News Reporter Sara
Whaley went to the presentation and had a chance to talk with the nationally
recognized author one on one. He retired from the army in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Not long after, two students killed five in a school massacre there. Because of
his expertise in the field of human aggression and violent crime, authorities
asked for his help.
He has been
helping communities first recover and then learn from tragedies ever since.
"Our kids
are more likely to be killed by violence than every other possible cause of
death put together," Grossman said.
He said he has
facts to back up that claim. 63 were killed in 2006 and 57 in 2007. He said
it's time for us to lay those numbers to rest, Instead of our children. He said
the single most important thing a school can do is allow only one point of
entry.
"As a
parent, you should demand that they keep those exterior doors locked all the
time," Grossman said.
That's not the
only way to protect kids without spending a dime. Grossman is asking educators
to become detectives. He said potential killers will almost always throw up red
flags by asking unusual questions about security. His tips don't stop there; he
even lays out a plan if the unthinkable happens.
"If the
killer does enter the school, the building should already be secure with way to
delay him," Grossman said.
He said doors
should always be locked, and windows should be shatterproof.
"How many
killers have to shoot out the windows and reach into our classrooms before we
spend a couple of bucks per window?" Grossman said.
If your
district is willing to spend a little more money, Grossman said the best
investment is having an armed security guard, or at the very least someone on
site that can shoot.
"The only
thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun," Grossman
said.
He hopes that
good guy with the gun will keep the bad guy from ever wanting to step foot near
our kids. Grossman said we need to stop being in denial about school massacres.
He said they are obviously happening, so we need to acknowledge that it's a
problem and prepare for the violence like firemen prepare for fire.
Grossman also talked to law enforcement officers about how they can
better protect not only our schools, but our towns. He said they should all
carry when they are off duty and have extra ammunition in their cars.
He will continue his presentation tomorrow from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM at New Hope Baptist Church.
It's open to the public and free of charge.
