RESPONSE TO TRAGEDY IN CONNECTICUT BY LAKEWOOD CITY SCHOOLS

[Jim O'Bryan]

Second. is appreciation for a fine piece of machinery, such as a gun, evidence of mental imbalance? I would say no. There are plenty of target shooters, and even hunters, who are stable. I know that Mr. O'Bryan asserts otherwise, but I think he is often irrational in his postings, and if we were to lock up the lunatic fringe, he would be among the first to go.

Will

Back at ya...

Still, I think there is a slight difference from someone "appreciation for a
fine piece of machinery" like a gun. I'll wait why you clean up. OK, and needing an assault
rifle or 600 rounds of ammunition.

I appreciate the high end precision of Formula One Cars, but do I need one? Do I insist
of driving it? Others love airplanes...



I know of gun collectors, and sharp shooters, and competition shooters. All small
manageable numbers that are all more than willing to work this out. I am talking about your neighbor who needs an assault rifle for anyone of the many reasons that make you
take a step back and go. Damn!

This gun thing ain't working out for anyone but gun manufacturers.

.

[Gary Rice]

I'll jump in here from a retired educator's perspective, after giving myself a little time to reflect on the absolute horror that happened in Newtown...and how all too easily this same sort of thing might have happened in schools where I taught for many years.

WE MUST KEEP THE FOCUS ON FIRST THINGS FIRST....SAVING INNOCENT LIVES IN THE FUTURE.

After Columbine, there was a national effort to make our schools more secure, and they really are...but that point being made, the fact remains that there are TWO MORE things that most districts could do in every school building, (and many have probably NOT done yet) that could really help with overall school safety.

One would be to have portable weapon detection equipment available, and the other? To implement a police/guard presence.

In the past, both of those proposals were set aside or stalled by any number of districts, often due to budgetary considerations and public relations variables. Some districts (and taxpayers) were convinced that this sort of thing could not happen where they were.

But it has, of course. Many times, and in many places.

People who, to this point, did not want their neighborhood schools turned into lockdown prison-like institutions are now starting to reconsider.

In a crisis event, seconds do count. Trained and rapid response is critical in the saving of innocent lives. The deterrent factor can never be over-emphasized either. It's been my experience as an educator that the more anti-violence countermeasures, (including classroom conflict-resolution lessons) that are in place, the less likely that trouble will start.

With respect to our school security, Lakewood is probably more fortunate than some outlying districts, in that police help is only minutes away.

At the same time, at the risk of reiteration, seconds do count.

The complex issue of gun control, on the other hand, is one that will probably take quite a bit of time to work out. We just can't wait for that to happen. We need to always keep the short focus on pragmatic ways that schools can keep improving their security.

Having portable weapon detection equipment available, and an increased police/guard presence in EACH and EVERY school building is an idea that needs serious consideration, with the only caveat being that school professionals would need to carefully research such equipment first to be sure that it is up to date and in full compliance with the most modern health standards of repeated exposure to magnetic, or other forms of radiation.

Just a few hopefully helpful opinionated thoughts for the day.

[marklingm]

I'll jump in here from a retired educator's perspective, after giving myself a little time to reflect on the absolute horror that happened in Newtown...and how all too easily this same sort of thing might have happened in schools where I taught for many years.

WE MUST KEEP THE FOCUS ON FIRST THINGS FIRST....SAVING INNOCENT LIVES IN THE FUTURE.

After Columbine, there was a national effort to make our schools more secure, and they really are...but that point being made, the fact remains that there are TWO MORE things that most districts could do in every school building, (and many have probably NOT done yet) that could really help with overall school safety.

One would be to have portable weapon detection equipment available, and the other? To implement a police/guard presence.

In the past, both of those proposals were set aside or stalled by any number of districts, often due to budgetary considerations and public relations variables. Some districts (and taxpayers) were convinced that this sort of thing could not happen where they were.

But it has, of course. Many times, and in many places.

People who, to this point, did not want their neighborhood schools turned into lockdown prison-like institutions are now starting to reconsider.

In a crisis event, seconds do count. Trained and rapid response is critical in the saving of innocent lives. The deterrent factor can never be over-emphasized either. It's been my experience as an educator that the more anti-violence countermeasures, (including classroom conflict-resolution lessons) that are in place, the less likely that trouble will start.

With respect to our school security, Lakewood is probably more fortunate than some outlying districts, in that police help is only minutes away.

At the same time, at the risk of reiteration, seconds do count.

The complex issue of gun control, on the other hand, is one that will probably take quite a bit of time to work out. We just can't wait for that to happen. We need to always keep the short focus on pragmatic ways that schools can keep improving their security.

Having portable weapon detection equipment available, and an increased police/guard presence in EACH and EVERY school building is an idea that needs serious consideration, with the only caveat being that school professionals would need to carefully research such equipment first to be sure that it is up to date and in full compliance with the most modern health standards of repeated exposure to magnetic, or other forms of radiation.

Just a few hopefully helpful opinionated thoughts for the day.

Gary,

This is good, thoughtful post.

Matt

[Sandra Donnelly]

There are certainly other factors that should be considered, such as the liberal attempt to deny certain citizens the right to assemble and to speak on political issues, but I have to get out to the range to keep up my skills.

Pretty tasteless, Will. I would have expected more of you.

[Betsy Voinovich]

I'll jump in here from a retired educator's perspective, after giving myself a little time to reflect on the absolute horror that happened in Newtown...and how all too easily this same sort of thing might have happened in schools where I taught for many years.

WE MUST KEEP THE FOCUS ON FIRST THINGS FIRST....SAVING INNOCENT LIVES IN THE FUTURE.

After Columbine, there was a national effort to make our schools more secure, and they really are...but that point being made, the fact remains that there are TWO MORE things that most districts could do in every school building, (and many have probably NOT done yet) that could really help with overall school safety.

One would be to have portable weapon detection equipment available, and the other? To implement a police/guard presence.

In the past, both of those proposals were set aside or stalled by any number of districts, often due to budgetary considerations and public relations variables. Some districts (and taxpayers) were convinced that this sort of thing could not happen where they were.

But it has, of course. Many times, and in many places.

People who, to this point, did not want their neighborhood schools turned into lockdown prison-like institutions are now starting to reconsider.

In a crisis event, seconds do count. Trained and rapid response is critical in the saving of innocent lives. The deterrent factor can never be over-emphasized either. It's been my experience as an educator that the more anti-violence countermeasures, (including classroom conflict-resolution lessons) that are in place, the less likely that trouble will start.

With respect to our school security, Lakewood is probably more fortunate than some outlying districts, in that police help is only minutes away.

At the same time, at the risk of reiteration, seconds do count.

The complex issue of gun control, on the other hand, is one that will probably take quite a bit of time to work out. We just can't wait for that to happen. We need to always keep the short focus on pragmatic ways that schools can keep improving their security.

Having portable weapon detection equipment available, and an increased police/guard presence in EACH and EVERY school building is an idea that needs serious consideration, with the only caveat being that school professionals would need to carefully research such equipment first to be sure that it is up to date and in full compliance with the most modern health standards of repeated exposure to magnetic, or other forms of radiation.

Just a few hopefully helpful opinionated thoughts for the day.

Gary,

This is good, thoughtful post.

Matt

Hi Matt, I agree.

I said earlier in this thread that Cleveland Councilman Mike Polensek said that the reason there has not been a school shooting in a Cleveland school is metal detectors with trained staff (police in Cleveland)operating them. In all schools, elementary through high school.

The other day I read that legislation has been proposed in by State Legislator Bill Patmon, in Ohio to use Homeland Security funds to pay for metal detectors in schools. (HB 519) This seems like a very straightforward way to take care of our country's most valuable asset, and our future.

Some say that they don't want our schools "to be like prisons" as Gary states above, but I've spent a lot of time in Cleveland schools, they don't feel like they are in "lockdown." They just seem safer. There is another person at the school besides the school secretary and the maintenance man, it's the security person at the door.

I have spoken to some Lakewood Middle School kids since last week, and all of them were unnerved to varying degrees. They know that their lockers are randomly checked to make sure none of their classmates have dangerous items in their lockers. What about in their pockets? The fact that this is done makes them aware that there is a reason for doing it, and they realize it's "pretty random," in their own words. In other words, they realize there are times that they could be in the presence of a student with a gun in his locker.

This is only one of the dangers. I spoke to Nikki Antonio this morning and she said, "If someone wants in, they'll get in." While I think this is true, I am in full agreement with Gary that that doesn't mean that we shouldn't do what we can.

Gary said:

In a crisis event, seconds do count. Trained and rapid response is critical in the saving of innocent lives. The deterrent factor can never be over-emphasized either. It's been my experience as an educator that the more anti-violence countermeasures, (including classroom conflict-resolution lessons) that are in place, the less likely that trouble will start.

With respect to our school security, Lakewood is probably more fortunate than some outlying districts, in that police help is only minutes away.

At the same time, at the risk of reiteration, seconds do count.

The complex issue of gun control, on the other hand, is one that will probably take quite a bit of time to work out. We just can't wait for that to happen. We need to always keep the short focus on pragmatic ways that schools can keep improving their security.

The issue of gun control IS COMPLEX. As has been illustrated on this thread. Do metal detectors, when used by trained professionals, in conjunction with a school-wide, district-wide plan (like the one Lakewood already has in place) detect guns in schools? Yes they do. A lot better than random locker checks.

Here's the link to the article about Homeland Security funds paying for metal detectors in schools:

http://www.plunderbund.com/2012/12/14/p ... shootings/

Betsy Voinovich

[Peter Grossetti]

I spoke to Nikki Antonio this morning and she said, "If someone wants in, they'll get in."

So ... would the next step for Lakewood residents to inundate Rep Antonio with phone calls and emails?

Nicki's Columbus office phone number: 614.466.5921

Nicki's email address: District13@ohr.state.oh.us

[Danielle Masters]

The odds of dying in a school shooting are something like 1 in a million. The odds of dying in a car accident in a given year are about 1 in 6,500. I think we are doing our children a disservice by giving in to fear mongering. Gun violence is down, the assault weapons ban was in effect during Columbine, criminals break laws, we have to stop living in constant fear, and we need to stop giving up our rights. My family refuses to live in fear, I have been straightforward with my children, I refuse to raise them in fear.

[Will Brown]

If the media is to be believed, and I personally don't think much of their credibility, the murderer shot his way into the school, which did have some level of security. So if someone is willing to go to that extent to get in, a metal detector, and trained personnel (security work does not seem to attract a skilled and active type of worker) would likely not have stopped this event.

It just seems to me that we are rushing to do something that will have little prospect for preventing this type of activity. We are upset that so many innocents were killed all at once, but we ignore the fact that cars kill far more students than guns. Should we ban cars? We can't even keep the drunk drivers off our streets.

[Peter Grossetti]

It's a shame Nancy Lanza chose not to defend herself from her son with one of the many guns she owned. Think of all the grief and sorrow she could have prevented. Why didn't she just defend herself with one of the guns in her arsenal?

[Jim O'Bryan]

It just seems to me that we are rushing to do something that will have little prospect for preventing this type of activity. We are upset that so many innocents were killed all at once, but we ignore the fact that cars kill far more students than guns. Should we ban cars? We can't even keep the drunk drivers off our streets.

Will

I agree with part of this post. A guard at a school would only seem to up the body count,
and possible put another gun into the criminal's hand. I cannot believe any school guard
would be quick enough to shoot, then ask questions. If the schools need to be armed,
then someone not at the door prepared.

But that is not the answer.

And banning all guns is not the answer.

The answer lies somewhere in an understand on assault/semi automatic guns. The liability
of gun owners and stores that sell them. A pumping up of the money going to mental
health and/or have the NRA contribute. I am not sure how Sandy Hook could have been
stopped. But damn we have to do something, it is getting crazy. Approaching 200 gun
deaths since Sandy Hook, including 4 shot at one time.

The gun thing is just not working out.

.

[Grace O'Malley]

Peter G

[Matthew Lee]

Peter G,

[Stephen Eisel]

It's a shame Nancy Lanza chose not to defend herself from her son with one of the many guns she owned. Think of all the grief and sorrow she could have prevented. Why didn't she just defend herself with one of the guns in her arsenal?

Do you work for MSNBC or CNN?

[Stephen Eisel]

282448_573678552649726_1359513153_n.jpg (50.93 KiB) Viewed 2284 times

[Peter Grossetti]

Do you work for MSNBC or CNN?

Stephen -

You really don't know me. I am a card-carrying Centrist.


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