Thoughts on impact of increases in armed security in schools, particularly for students with trauma histories

Hi Eric,

I wanted to point you in the direction of this story previously posted:

Lincoln High police officer says farewell, notes decrease in police reports as other schools' increase

http://acesconnection.com/profiles/blogs/lincoln-high-police-officer-says-farewell-notes-decrease-in

Be sure to click on the link "Lincoln High School in Walla Walla, WA, took a different approach" in the article.

I think you will find these stories edifying.

There are videos related to this school's transformation in our Video section:

http://acesconnection.com/video/video/search?q=walla+walla should you be interested in exploring their trauma-sensitive approach to running the school.

If I can help point you to more resources, please don't hesitate to ask.

Best, Chris/Resource admin.

 

Eric, You might gain more insight by watching Dr. Gary Slutkin's work on violence interruption:

http://acesconnection.com/video/gary-slutkin-disrupting-violence (20 min video presentation)

His main point is that we learn by observing. He has created a community system that reduces urban homicide rates; it does not include using the police force. It's evidence-based and supported by The White House.

You asked, "Would walking into a school and seeing a firearm trigger a response that would be qualitatively different than that of a student without previous exposure to violence or significant stress? I'm not sure if there is an answer, yet an interesting question."

I can tell you that when I traveled to Europe as a young 20-something and had to deal w/ benign border crossings, the presence of armed guards was very intimidating. I could feel the threat in my body. But another strong component to these experiences was the body language of the border guards. FYI, I did not grow up around guns. However, like many people, I did experience significant ACEs.

I believe an armed guard in a school could send the wrong message and certain students could be triggered especially if they live in a home or community with firearms. However I believe a strong mediating factor is how the officer interacts with the students, as Jim stated. At his school the officer is trained in ACEs and is an "out" ACE survivor himself. This is a potent combination in addition to the ACE/trauma-informed culture Jim has established throughout his school. I believe all of these components have been key to his school's success. As Jim stated, "It doesn't matter what kind of security system you have...nothing is as important for school safety as to build positive relationships with students...."

Having all this said, I will still be interested to hear if Jim's SRO was armed. 

Thank you for this interesting topic and discussion.

Eric, I forgot to mention I loved your piece! One thing I would mention is that I would emphasize that mental health care access needs to be "trauma-informed." The majority of mental health care is operating without using a trauma-informed approach. Without TIC (trauma-informed care) more damage to the individual is often the result. SAMHSA is doing a lot of work on trying to disseminate this information. They state:

"Trauma-informed organizations, programs, and services are based on an understanding of the vulnerabilities or triggers of trauma survivors that traditional service delivery approaches may exacerbate, so that these services and programs can be more supportive and avoid re-traumatization."

Thanks again for this excellent piece...and discussion topic!

Best, Chris

Eric, I can only respond from my own personal experience. I don't have the knowledge or research to have an overall view as to how security impacts our educational system as a whole. It is a long story, but when I asked to be transferred to Paine Alternative (Lincoln), after a two day visit I had never seen a school environment so out of control. I had to approach our Central Administration, and advocate that they transfer me immediately....I knew that I could not start a school year off with what I experienced in two days. The gangs had control and their influence created an unsafe school environment. Prior to my arrival a teacher had been assaulted. In order to gain control over the safety of staff and students, I had students arrested for fights, assaults, disorderly conduct, and threats to a staff member. It was the only time in my career that I had to long-term suspend two gang members that continued to disrupt or were calling shots to encourage friction and intimidation. With that being shared....we only had a daily average attendance of 50 students. When students challenged me for being to strict....I always responded that I was committed to every student to provide a safe environment where no student had to fear school. At the end of the year we had students come up with a new name for our school and that is how we became Lincoln High School. I knew that in order to create a new culture, we needed a new name. The previous name had a horrible image within our community.

The chief of police who I have known for years...is very involved in the community and very proactive. He contacted me and shared that he was prepared to go into partnership with the school district to place a School Resource Officer at Lincoln due to the number of calls they responded to for serious issues. SRO's go through training before they are placed in a school. Our SRO's have also been trained in ACE's along with staff. I would read the farewell letter that Kevin sent out to staff that Chris was referring to, to hear what he was taking with him as he moved into his new promotion. Pre ACE's....our arrests were significant, now they are very minimal at best. However, the presence alone is an intervention, and the SRO is developing positive relationships with students and gaining that trust. Students will come and ask to see Matt and they will ask for help on issues that are not school related, but are impacting the stress level of the student. Matt our SRO has ACE's in his life and he shares his story with students to show them that they don't have to let the ACE's keep them from building resiliency and hope. Matt comes from a single parent up bringing, mom was an alcoholic, and he was told as a young man that he would never finish school or amount to anything. I believe he was told this by a teacher when he was struggling from the stresses at home. He graduated with a four year degree with honors. A great story for our kids to hear and to feel the empathy and value that Matt demonstrates.

In our environment with students with high ACE scores, you are going to have occasions when you have two hundred students...that someone breaks the law. When that happens, we sit down with the student and seek the cause of the action. An example....I have had two incidents of marijuana possessions at school. In both cases, the student revealed some personal issues that they were dealing with and as we acknowledged that their burden of stress was a very heavy burden to carry by themselves, both kids agreed to schedule an appointment with a counselor at our health center, and both kids shared that their pot use was the only way they new how to deal with their stress. In both cases the student was under the influence so I sent them home for the rest of the day....and I did school discipline....in school. With our SRO, he shows his empathy by sharing that he appreciates their honesty, that he still had to file the charge but he doesn't want to add to their stress by arresting them and taking them to JJC. The student understands the charge, and they appreciate Matt not hand-cuffing them and taking them in. Our relationship with these two students has grown stronger and I track how they are doing on their stress. when I track how they are doing, I take small steps and start teaching them about their brain and how stress impacts their learning. Then we talk about some strategies that can be a healthier option.

You'll have to forgive me for long responses....it is a challenge to address great questions with brief responses. Long story short, it is how you use security guards or SRO's that would determine their effectiveness. If they are used to project their authority and be used in a punitive role, then I can see how that would support the research. I'll never forget what Peter Blauvelt, national expert on school safety (15 yrs. ago) shared at a training I was at. The most powerful prevention for school violence...recognize students and share that you are happy to see them in school...especially students that isolate themselves. It doesn't matter what kind of security system you have...nothing is as important for school safety as to build positive relationships with students....and focus on the ones that can be difficult. Over time, they become a part of your shadow and feel valued and appreciated.

Chris, your response to the border patrol is right on. I experienced a similar reaction when I visited Israel about 9 years ago. People carried AK-47s over their shoulders everywhere, even in the mall. I will never forget how I felt when someone two people behind me in line at the food court had an AK-47.

Interestingly, I just found this quote in a research article published in 2011.

"School violence was significantly lower in schools where the security officers (guards or SROs) were in uniform (b = −0.292, SE = 0.112, p < .01) whereas school violence was significantly higher in schools where the security officers carried firearms (b = 0.456, SE = 0.108, p < .001)."

From "Evaluating the Relationship Between Law Enforcement and School Security Measures and Violent Crime in Schools." Journal of Police Crisis Negotiations, 11:2, 109-124 (2011).

Hi Chris, I've shared with Jamie Redford who is filming Lincoln as part of his documentary on ACE's...."you have to share the whole story of Lincoln, to show the impact of ACE's and the resiliency". In a trauma sensitive school, your life is enriched and and the relationships are branded on your soul. But with joy comes the painful fall to substance abuse, feeling unworthy to succeed and self destructing. We have enjoyed watching lives being transformed....but we also see lives living out the predictable outcomes of their ACE's. I never want Lincoln to be misrepresented....we don't reach every student. This is why I believe a trauma sensitive school must model unconditional love. No matter how many times they fail....they deserve our love and forgiveness. I have never seen the level of stress than what I am seeing with my students this year. It has become routine for me to ask students that come in my office..."from a scale from 1-10 where is your stress level at?" We are reaching the end of the first semester, the lowest score I have been given was a 6, that was one time. The kids are telling me consistently 8-9. I follow up with asking them if there stress is school related....every student that I have talked to has told me their stress is outside of school. However, you can't carry an 8-9 and not bring it into school. I have spent more time teaching students about their brains and how stress can block their ability to learn, to problem solve, and I have been teaching students strategies to learn to identify where their stress is at, share how to self regulate and know when to tell their teachers they need a time out or they need some quiet time to bring themselves down. I have been encouraged by the student's ability to understand and to begin learning the process. My staff have the greater impact on a day to day basis. I love watching them connect and become one of the adults in their village of support.

Eric, I finally was able to read your article that you wrote for the the link above. You really did a nice job. I have enjoyed the meaningful conversation we all have had around your post. Look forward to further posts and conversations. You have been a great addition to the acestoohigh family.

The quote that got cut off:

"Trauma-informed organizations, programs, and services are based on an understanding of the vulnerabilities or triggers of trauma survivors that traditional service delivery approaches may exacerbate, so that these services and programs can be more supportive and avoid re-traumatization."

Chris and Jim-

Thank you for your thorough and thoughtful replies. The articles you shared, which I had seen previously, are truly incredible and inspirational. I agree with your general points that the presence of armed security alone does not decrease perceived safety or even necessarily decrease violence; those individuals need to contribute and commit to the overall trauma-informed school culture.

Jim, are the SROs in your school armed? I wonder what impact that has on the students knowing they are armed - or if they would be more or less effective in their roles without a firearm in their holster?

I suppose my other question in my original post was the concept of the impact of seeing an armed guard in a school for students that have witnessed serious violence at home or in the community. Would walking into a school and seeing a firearm trigger a response that would be qualitatively different than that of a student without previous exposure to violence or significant stress? I'm not sure if there is an answer, yet an interesting question.

The topic is highly relevant given the discussion in the media and now in Washington. I'm afraid that many advocates still maintain a narrow view of school safety. The presence of physical school safety measures must be subsumed under a larger initiative to create a safe, supportive, nurturing, and welcoming school environment.

Thanks for the great discussion. Would like to hear your thoughts, even if they are just speculative or opinion, on how just seeing a firearm in a school might impact students across the country (especially those that don't have access to the fantastic resources available at Lincoln High School).

Eric,
I hope I didn't give the wrong impression that I was challenging the research, my feedback is specifically to my experience at Lincoln. My SRO is not in the formal police uniform, he wears a knit shirt that identifies him as the SRO, but he is armed. One point that should be made, when you have an SRO in a school building, he should never be put into a situation where he/she is doing school discipline. That is the school administrator's responsibility and actually creates a liability for both the SRO and the administrator. I'm only speaking for Lincoln. I think I shared that last year's survey showed that our students had an average ACE score of 4.5. I believe the average score this year will be higher. So we know that our students are at critical risk without positive interventions. We also know that the majority of our students have been exposed to domestic violence. However, 90% of our students said that they feel safe at Lincoln, which for an alternative high school is a very high percentage.

I feel that my students and staff feel safer with Matt in the building and I honestly don't think anyone pays any attention to his gun, but they do pay attention to his presence, which I view as being proactive. I wouldn't allow or put my SRO in a position to intimidate or to cause fear. If we have a student that has a warrant, we call the student into the office and ask them if they are aware of it. Then we encourage them to contact their PO and take care of it. We don't arrest students for out of school issues, I don't put Matt in that position. A couple of weeks we called a student in and told her she had a warrant, and she told Matt she would rather have him take her in. An officer can't transport with out handcuffing the person. Matt told her to wait until kids were in class and he walked her to the car before putting her in handcuffs. She thank him for taking her in and she knew that he was going to do everything he could to be discreet.

I almost had a fight during an assembly, we got the two kids out of there so fast, very few knew what was going on. I have one very hardcore gang member who went outside and refused to follow any of my directions. He was calling his gang on his cell phone and was out of control. We had other students who were connected that started coming outside and I could tell I had a potential for a serious confrontation.....Matt was not present that day. His presence alone would have had a strong impact and we wouldn't have been at risk. I had to call patrol to get a police presence on campus to make sure that we were safe from any major conflict. The young man that was refusing anything I asked him, changed his whole attitude around when he saw the officers.

I had an opposing gang after school trying to call out one of our kids from across the street, by the time I could get the police on the scene, the gang saw me on my radio and walked away....these guys were older 22-25. If my student would have crossed the street, the damage would have been done even before the police arrived. Matt was gone that day....they wouldn't have been trying to call my student out with his presence, and Matt would have called for backup....they respond a lot quicker when one of their own makes the call.

Eric, for me the SRO plays a major role and I don't know what I would do without him. Our kids come in and ask to see him.....they seek help on out of school issues. Our parents will come to see Matt, they don't want to talk to a patrol officer. My opinion is that a trauma sensitive school can use their SRO to be seen as a positive advocate and to be proactive.....instead of reactive. I was sharing with a student the other day some strategies for handling her stress....and I told her that I was being challenged as well with my stress. We talked about her strong qualities that I feel are amazing due to the Trauma in her life and what she went through as a young child. Before she left my office she told me Matt really helped her the other day..."Sporleder, have Matt tell you his story, he had to overcome a lot and told me I could do the same".

Thank you Chris, I want people to know that we have our challenges and not all of our students are able to sustain growth, but I believe so much in what you have shared....we never know when the seed will sprout, and we can never give up on our kids. I wish I knew how to copy a picture on the site....I have a student that was still struggling when he left Lincoln....today, he is a new person. The picture I wish I could send, says it all. He brings me hope and is such an inspiration.

Ditto! Totally agree. :)

I think the combination of the research you posted Eric and Jim's experience establishing a pro-social culture at Lincoln are not in conflict at all. Since a trauma-sensitive approach is so new I believe it is yet to be fully documented in the research. I love the phrase that came from a recent article I posted: "Our culture is medicine." Jim has developed the right medicine in the culture he has created at Lincoln. Now we all just need to take the trauma-informed approach, become it (as Jim has done/is doing), and apply it cross-agency, in other words, everywhere in our culture.

I second that. Keep those stories coming, Jim. It would be excellent to even see a memoir telling the stories of many of the students in your school. I can see that being a best-seller.

Hi Jim,

I understand your points. Unfortunately, not every student can escape the pain and consequences of what life is dealing them. But you are planting seeds and providing a nurturing environment while they are at school. Some of these seeds may sprout later. Lincoln is modeling the correct approach. It's very exciting that your work and school are a part of a documentary. I salute you and your staff for the INCREDIBLE work you are doing! It is truly groundbreaking!

I certainly don't claim to have all the answers, I can only speak from my experience at Lincoln. The kids know when our SRO is gone. Used proactively, kids come to him for help on outside of school matters. 12 incidents involving our zero and only 2 were taken to the juvenile justice center. Even those two were taken to the car when kids were in class and weren't handcuffed until they got to he car. Kids know we are doing our best to be as discreet as possible.

Great conversation - sadly, these conversations (just like on this message board) fade into the background until another shooting transpires.In truth, when removing my own personal views on the matter, the presence of guns on campus do more harm than good, whether in the hands of trained personnel or students or educators. 

Having said that, I also believe SROs, when used properly, can serve a very important function. When an SRO can connect with students, and develop a relationship that provides a positive foundation between youth and law enforcement, they can really make a positive impact on the school culture. Like anyone else, it requires trust, mutual respect, and compassion in the absence of overly strict, harsh, and punitive discipline practices.

As for the mental health issue, it's problematic as MOST people with mental health problems do not go on shooting rampages. We estimate around 1 in 5 people experience some form of mental health problems in their lifetime, yet if even a fraction of those people were going around killing people at random, our society would cease to exist as we know it. In fact, people with mental health problems are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.

I raise this point because, in my opinion, any movement for gun control should think more broadly than limiting access to those with histories of mental health problems.

Jim, I've always been a fan of what you do as you know. You're spot on in all depts. imo! You've definitely got the recipe down for what works at your school and I applaud you for that.

Collectively, as a nation, I think this issue is so hard for us. I don't claim to have the answers either. It just makes me sad when I see Australia take a swift, decisive action and the problem's gone. There are just too many mass shootings happening here. The word 'tragedy' is getting used so often I feel like it's losing some of its weight. It's like the word is becoming 'normalized' in our cultural lexicon. More unraveling of our social fabric... <hand holding slumping head> :(

Chris, I think you bring up a very good question that we need to look at. I also respect Eric and his views, though we may differ in our opinions. I think we have to come up with a system that can track those with mental health issues from purchasing firearms. However, Sandyhook's violence on the innocent used fire arms that were illegal to have. His mother, a teacher, purchased and showed he mentally unstable so how to use the weapons. I also felt that Sandyhook had as secure of entry point that I have ever heard of for an elementary school. It is pure rage of violence on the innocent and one of country's worst tragedies. When I see teachers being attacked in the media, I often think of those incredible educators that put their life in front of their students to save lives. I believe Eric had research that showed armed officers in a school building could cause trauma for students. I only can speak from my perspective as one school with an armed officer on campus. My SRO gets out every day to build relationships with our kids. I have him sit in on certain issues I might be dealing with. Our message is that we don't want anyone to be arrested and we take a pro-active approach. It also sends the subtle message of what the consequence could be for an illegal act. For Lincoln, having an SRO on campus brings a sense of calm. We have never used our SRO to create fear or to be aggressive with our kids. However, I can see Eric's side if he SRO is used aggressively and to intimidate. I actually shoot Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays as a hobby and love the challenge which is a lot like golf...concentration, practice, and technique. A great outlet for me and a great group of guys that love the sport and are extremely safety conscious. There are high safety expectations and new members have someone next to them teaching the appropriate safety expectations that must be followed by all of us. Jim

Eric, you really bring up excellent points that are clear out of my expertise. I always respect and try to look closely at your perspective and understanding of these complex issues. Thanks for sharing, I always come away with something valuable. Wishing you well, it was great hearing from you. Blessings, Jim Ps I would have to say that SRO's are used more punitive than pro-active, this would certainly address your research and concerns.

Eric, From the viewpoint of a parent (one in elementary and one in middle school), I can tell you that the elementary is becoming like Fort Knox (you have to buzz from outside, where a camera is installed to look you over to decide if they'll let you in...meanwhile, MY daughter is inside!).

It's less welcoming, less accessible for a parent to get to their child if there were an emergency, and I also believe a waste of resources!  I am a survivor of CSA with an ACE Score of 4.  The VERY LAST THING I want is to see my kids in any school where I have LESS (not MORE) access to them.  I'm saying this as a parent who has complained about a certain employee doing inappropriate things w/kids during school hours only to be royally pounded at my outrageous claim (and over the summer, my daughter told me she does not trust this person - so I've given her permission to SCREAM and RUN for a trusted adult if he EVER makes her feel uncomfortable/strange/isolated/or touches her).  NONE of this sits well with me.  And oh by the way, someone in the front office has been talking to other staff members about having gone to a gun show and thinking she might buy a gun!  This is devastating news (I was told in secrecy).  There is a growing sickness in the way adults think about "safety" and the media is definitely fueling the fire, meanwhile, reality is being ignored.

I remembered this discussion and wanted to post a related article from today's medical news: 

'Guns do not make a nation safer,' say doctors

http://acesconnection.com/profiles/blogs/guns-do-not-make-a-nation-safer-say-doctors

 

Hi Jim,

I just keep thinking about how Australia handled this issue:

After a 1996 Mass Shooting, Australia Enacted Strict Gun Laws. It Hasn't Had a Similar Massacre Since

http://www.slate.com/blogs/crime/2012/12/16/gun_control_after_connecticut_shooting_could_australia_s_laws_provide_a.html

It's a compelling story.

best, chris

 

Brenda-

Your perspective is really insightful, so thanks for sharing. You're not alone in having those feelings. Nobody wants to drop their child off at an army barracks, myself included.

I work with the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), and we are planning a senate briefing in November with a focus on rethinking school safety. I believe when we think of school safety, and especially when we feel threatened, we focus on the physical safety. Unfortunately, we often neglect the importance of psychological safety.

Thanks for sharing, Brenda.

Eric,  I can't wait to hear about/read about your briefing - I hope it gets national attention and some traction!  As I've said to our school officials, the way to make real safety is not installing equipment, bars, locks, etc. -- it's creating safety when you strengthen the MIND.  If we think of each MIND as a way of combating violence, then we all win in the end (taking care of each other would go along way towards that too).  I wish you great success!  I'm in your corner!

This is great Eric! I added it to the Education section of our Resource Center.

Thanks Brenda. It made it into many hands - we did some hill stomping along with the other affiliate groups, and I know it made it into the hands of several state governments. Still, this is far from 'common knowledge' at this point, as many still promote methods that have proven ineffective and even harmful to students.

As one well-respected professor once said to me, "logic and reason are great, but data are better."

Thanks Brenda. Check out our framework, which we wrote after the Newtown shootings last year. This was co-branded by six professional associations with hundreds of other organizations signing on. I was one of the lead authors, so this document really reflects my views.

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/handouts/Framework_for_Safe_and_Successful_School_Environments.pdf

Terrific!  Have school districts/Boards of Education received this yet?  Or has it not filtered down...really GREAT advice that people need to hear (before they reach decisions based upon fear).  I love the idea of bringing silos down between education and mental health - seriously needed.

Eric-

I appreciate your efforts to clarify safety in our schools. My daughter's large high school is very diverse in economic and racial ways with an assigned police officer who is armed. Based on my daughters report and the prjnciples speeches- his presence has had a positive effect. I will stay posted on your work to educate administrators. 

Thanks also for emphasizing the reality concerning the relationship between mental health disorders and violence .