CPAM Conference 2019 , Day# 3, Averted School Violence Project

Mr. Frank Straub, Ph.D, is the director of Strategic Studies and the Center for Mass Violence Response Studies at the National Police Foundation a non-profit organization that studies ways to improve policing through science and innovation. Mr. Straub has conducted in-depth studies of the San Bernardino terrorist attack, the Kalamazoo mass shooting, and the Orlando Pluse nightclub shooting, and is currently leading the Marjory Stoneman Douglass HS shooting review.

Mr. Straub shared his personal experience of what happened on Sept. 11th, 2001, while working for the NYPD. He and many others responded to the World Trade Center towers to assist with evacuation and saving lives. The personal details shared as an eye witness and loss of close friends were moving and clearly had the audience riveted, because we watched the coverage in horror but to hear a first-hand account was moving.

Mr. Straub shared the findings of a series of high profile shootings, participants were provided with a copy of " A Comparison of Averted and Completed School Attacks from the Police Foundations Averted School Violence Database. This detailed report gives details on the age range of attackers, locations (high schools #1), and lessons learned.

Mr. Straub stressed the importance of "Averting Near Misses" when someone "Sees something, Says something and adding "do something". In our school's students who hear something, see something on social media has helped stop an attack before it happens. 58.8% of attacks are planned by one person if more are involved its a high probability that someone will tell.

In the report, there is information on how social media has played a significant role in providing a safe place for those planning attacks.

Mr. Straub provided insight into the challenges of our school administrators and teachers. Will, there be more opportunities to learn the warning signs of troubled students, developing more of a relationship with law enforcement and to create a "threat assessment team"?  Another recommendation is to create a "mental health incident command" to respond to these incidents for long term care of all involved, students, parents, teachers, 1st responders, and all disciplines providing care.

Schools districts are being encouraged to expand the active shooter drills to included all health releated disciplines and also to have more table top drills.

To access the report and more click the link below:

Averted School Violence, Police Foundation