Reduce the risks
Last month, I wrote the first of three articles on the epidemic of gun violence. When Dr. Gary Slukin, a world-renowned epidemiologist, applied his epidemic model to several cities, the rate of weapon violence dropped from 79% to 41%. The three components of the model are, interrupt transmission, reduce the risks, and change community norms. This article will focus on reducing the risks. Jesus said, “Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
When my generation was in elementary school, we had atomic bomb drills and fire drills. In recent years as the number of mass murders in schools has dramatically increased, law enforcement and educators have joined together and issued guidelines for students, teachers, and other staff members if there is an active killer on campus.
First, everyone must be aware of the exits from the building closest to their classrooms, cafeteria, and other places they may be during a typical day. The first way to reduce the risk of getting shot is to run and keep on running away from the school, including away from the parking lot. Leave everything behind.
Second, if you are trapped in the classroom or in other parts of the building, hide but, not in a bathroom. People were killed or injured at the Pulse Night Club when the murderer went inside the bathrooms.
Third, if you can’t run or hide, fight back, block the door with desks and other furniture. An innovative means of fighting back was the idea of Superintendent David Heisel, of the Blue Mountain School District in Orwigsburg, Pa. He ordered that every classroom be equipped with several buckets of river rocks. Being pelted with rocks could be a deterrent to an intruder.
What is not in the school guidelines and is approved by law enforcement is when we are shopping or attending large gatherings.
First, leave your weapon(s) at home. Over and over, law enforcement officials beg the public not to complicate an active murder situation by brandishing a weapon and trying and “to help,” enforcement. I have heard police officers bluntly say, “That’s a good way to be mistaken for the active shooter and get shot.”
Our law enforcement officers are well trained. They have a plan of attack and may have rehearsed it. We civilians aren’t included as those who might have to use deadly force.
We must also leave our pets at home. Time and time again, pet owners have escaped a life-threatening situation, such as a house fire, only to run back inside to try and rescue a pet. It is a fatal mistake.
The purpose of our school’s drills years ago was to help us be aware of potential danger and responsibly participate in a survival plan. I knew that there were people that were concerned about us and were trying to keep us safe.
Jesus said: “Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”