Expansive financial worth of school shootings continues to escalate unabatedly

In the wake of increasing concerns about school safety, various companies are showcasing their innovative solutions at the National School Safety Conference. Vendors display a range of products, including panic buttons, bullet-resistant whiteboards, facial recognition technology, training simulators, body armor, guns, tasers, and trauma kits. One emerging technology gaining attention is the use of security or special drones to respond to active shooter situations.

One company leading the charge in this area is BRINC, based in Seattle, Washington. BRINC became well-known for the development of Lemur 2 drones, specifically designed for use in crisis situations such as shootings. Schools in several US states have considered or even tested these drones.

The allure of an impenetrable school is strong, according to Jillian Peterson, as it taps into people's worst fears. However, investing in school communities that foster emotional support and trust, as well as robust mental health services, are key to preventing gun violence, according to researchers. Simple measures like locked doors can potentially save lives, as demonstrated in the recent Minneapolis shooting.

In the event of a shooting, school resource officers need any available tools, according to Mo Canady. The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) organises the conference, training school-based police officers on various topics, including working with traumatised children and intervening before violence occurs.

One company selling trauma kits, SAM Medical, traditionally serves EMTs, fire departments, and military medics but now increasingly sells to school districts. Justin Marston, CEO of Campus Guardian Angel, claims the drones can stop school shootings by shooting pepper balls and crashing into the shooter. However, Sonali Rajan, senior director with the research arm of Everytown for Gun Safety, states that most school safety products lack evidence of their effectiveness.

Safe storage laws are crucial in preventing school shootings, as access to firearms is often a key factor in those who plan but do not carry out a school shooting, according to Jillian Peterson. Most school shooters are current or former students and are often suicidal, according to researchers.

The school safety industry is now worth approximately $4 billion, with projections for continued growth. Schools now account for the majority of business for metal detector manufacturers like CEIA USA. Interestingly, someone helping a young person in crisis is another reason why those who planned a school shooting but did not carry it out changed their minds, according to Jillian Peterson.

Recently, the latest school shooting occurred last month at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, resulting in two deaths and at least 18 injuries. Locked doors, however, do not necessarily prevent a shooting. Mo Canady, the executive director of NASRO and a former police officer, emphasises the challenging nature of the school resource officer role, requiring them to be both tactical and informal counselors.

With over 400 school shootings since 1999, according to The Washington Post, the need for effective and balanced solutions in school safety remains a pressing concern.