Practical Steps to Protect Our Schools Within Reach

Another school in my community fell victim to a shooting rampage. Two lives were lost. Seventeen more were injured. And a community left terrified that it could happen again.

Since our government has not been able to act for decades, it falls to communities to take reasonable measures that can help protect students and staff. These steps don’t solve the root problem, but they can provide valuable time to respond in the moments that matter most.

1. Install Perimeter Fencing

A fence around school grounds would not interfere with existing evacuation procedures. Buses and parent drop-off could operate through designated gates. A secure perimeter slows down an intruder, creates defined access points, and gives staff or security more time to act.

2. Organize a Parent Volunteer Watch

Parent volunteers could provide an added layer of security during the school day. Here’s how it could work:

Divide the school day into two shifts of about 3.5 hours each.

Assign three parents to each shift, stationed at key access points and equipped with radios.

Volunteers act as additional eyes and ears—observing the perimeter, watching for unusual behavior, and relaying concerns quickly to school staff or law enforcement.

With broad participation, each parent might only need to serve six shifts per year—manageable for families and powerful in effect.

3. Use a Tethered Security Drone

A tethered drone can provide a continuous 360-degree view of the school perimeter. The live feed can be monitored by staff or security, while AI software assists in flagging unusual activity. This technology extends visibility far beyond what ground patrols can cover.

A Community Choice

These measures are within reach. They’re far less costly than the security routinely deployed to protect consumer goods. For example: there are security guards at the Apple store in the mall, but not in our schools filled with children.

It’s time to ask: are our priorities aligned with our values? If we can figure out how to protect phones and laptops, we can surely figure out how to protect students.

Our communities are terrified, and with good reason. But fear doesn’t have to paralyze us. It can push us to act—to shift our resources, to organize, and to take steps that are in our control. These measures won’t end the problem, but they can give our children and teachers a chance.

Blueprint for Implementation

Perimeter Fencing

Cost: Moderate one-time investment, similar to athletic field fencing.

Steps: Assess current campus layout, design access points for buses and parents, and coordinate with fire officials to ensure evacuation plans remain intact.

Parent Volunteer Watch

Cost: Minimal (radios and safety vests).

Steps:

Establish a volunteer roster and scheduling system.

Train parents on observation techniques and communication protocols.

Coordinate with school staff for rapid escalation procedures.

Tethered Drone

Cost: Higher than fencing or volunteers, but still feasible with grants or community fundraising.

Steps:

Select a tethered drone system with continuous power capability.

Train staff or security to operate and monitor the system.

Integrate AI-assisted monitoring for threat detection.