Author: Pamela Walker, Communications Director
When there is a major incident that captures the headlines, people will talk about it, form committees and dust off response plans in the days and weeks following, all with the best intentions. Public Safety Secretary Erik Hooks and a small group that met this week in Greensboro want to ensure the dust never settles on the topic of school safety.
"For me and our department, I want to be in a constant state of evaluation and asking the question--- Are we doing enough, what can we do better and how as a state agency can we better assist our local partners," Secretary Hooks told the group.
Sheriff B.J. Barnes of Guilford County organized the meeting, making sure to include three other sheriff'’s offices, about a dozen police departments and the chief of police for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Also at the table representing the Department of Public Safety was the Highway Patrol, Emergency Management, Juvenile Justice and the SBI.
Both Col. Glenn McNeill, commander of the Highway Patrol and Joe Wright, deputy director of Emergency Management, echoed the importance of the state and locals working together, practicing in cross-agency teams, preparing for and sharing information and data before and during a school incident.
It was clear by the concerned looks on all the faces and the conversation, the topic was important to everyone in the room. Not everyone agreed on every strategy discussed, but there was consensus on many ideas. All appreciated the sharing of information and most importantly knowing everyone wants to work together across jurisdictions.
Some shared pending legislation that they are hoping others will support. All voiced support for School Resource Officers (SRO) and wanted to know what options there may be to get more of them. They want to see more mandatory training and support for SROs.
Wright provided an update on the new State Emergency Response Application (SERA) that puts school schematic plans at the fingertips of first responders. The web-based, secure app can be loaded onto cell phones or other devices to assist emergency services, fire departments, law enforcement and emergency managers in efficiently responding to hazards and threats at school facilities.
In discussing the needs of troubled youth and how they impact school safety, William Lassiter, deputy secretary for Juvenile Justice, highlighted the importance of assessing the potential threat these juveniles may pose to the public or themselves. Lassiter wanted to ensure the group was aware of the Bridges Crisis and Assessment Center in Winston-Salem. One of three juvenile crisis and assessment centers in North Carolina, this eight-bed center, operated under contract by the Methodist Home for Children, provides crisis intervention, assessment and service planning in a residential setting for adjudicated youth who require a temporary out-of-home placement to stabilize their behaviors. These centers develop an effective plan of care for troubled youths, to reduce further court involvement, promote stronger families and to assure safer communities.
"We need to ensure we have a whole of government approach, a whole of community approach," Secretary Hooks stated. "We must all collaborate regularly, working across perceived boundaries and help each other for the greater good."