Enhancing School Security: Lessons from the Parkland Shooting

Abstract

CJ365: School Security Responses after Mass Shootings Mass Shooting: Parklands High School Shooting The main weekly reading focused on school security responses after mass shooting which aligns with reevaluation of school security measures that were imposed at Marjory Stoneman Doughlas High School in [City, State]. The attack took place on the 14th day of February 2018 where the shooter was a former student at the school. [City, State], is a suburban community northwest of Fort Lauderdale. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was known for its academic excellence and had a diverse student population which proved a threat in case of such an attack. Nicholas Cruz, entered the campus armed with a semi-automatic rifle and began firing indiscriminately. Cruz had a troubled history, including expulsion from the school due to disciplinary issues and reports of behavioral problems which if were promptly addressed maybe would have saved him from becoming such a violent character. The primary targets of Cruz's attack were students, teachers, and staff members present at the school that day. Basically, this attacker did not express any special interest on certain individuals but rather aimed at shooting anyone at school. The shooting resulted in the tragic deaths of 17 people and left many others injured, making it one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history where the perpetrator was a single attacker but his actions proved well strategized attacking skills. While reflecting on the law enforcement responses, it is open that law enforcement response to the shooting was heavily scrutinized due to the delayed entry of officers into the building as the shooting unfolded (Malcolm and Swearer, 2018). This delay raised questions about the effectiveness of response protocols and communication among first responders during active shooter incidents. Unfortunately, due to such delays, the extent of damage in this attack...