Do We Really Need More Hardware and Technology?

As I travel around our schools conducting safety and security assessments I believe it is fair to say that we are quickly getting to the point where every reasonable piece of hardware and technology we could access for school safety will have been installed.  The reality is we walk a fine line between security and community access and our society is not yet ready to make our schools look like maximum security prisons (and we shouldn't at this point in time). 

The vast majority of the hardware and technology installed in today's schools is good.  However hardware and technology do not stop the acts of evil people.  They can help reduce the impact they make but not stop it.  They can help keep bad guys out, but the vast majority of them are from within our schools and they have free access as a member of our community.  

So where is the next front for our ongoing attack against school violence?  It is simple.  One: don't forget the basics and use what you got.  We have locks but we don't lock them.  We have super secure perimeters but we wedge doors open with pieces of wood or brick for convenience.  We have PA systems but we don't trust our staff to use them.  Second: We need to slow down the pace, look kids in the eyes and get to know them better.  This is a battle of hearts and minds.  Too often we demonize the student who becomes violent and fail to remember that their life is also broken the same as their victims.  We need early and deliberate intervention as we see kid's lives unraveling.  

So yes, most of us have all the technology and hardware we need.  Now its time to place the majority of our focus on the individual and unique lives of each person in our school community.