HOMELAND SECURITY OFFERS TRAINING

The Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security has offered free school security seminars since 2007. About 150 of the 520 school districts in the state have participated so far. The courses are open to school officials and law enforcement officers, who can earn 16 hours of CLEET credit. Class topics include emergency response planning and how to conduct a security survey. A seminar wrapped up Tuesday in Guymon, but five more sessions are planned this year. More are likely to be planned because of high demand. For registration information, go to www.ok.gov/ homeland.

Feb. 6-7 at the Enid Event Center and Convention Hall.

Feb. 20-21 at the Kiamichi Technology Center.

March 6-7 at the Claremore Community Center.

March 27-28 at the Great Plains Technology Center.

April 3-4 at the Moore Norman Technology Center.

10 MYTHS ABOUT SCHOOL SHOOTERS

Kim Carter, director of the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, said common myths crop up after school shootings. Carter reported the myths Tuesday to the Oklahoma Commission on School Security.

The shooter just didn’t fit the profile. “There really is no profile,” Carter said. “That’s what you have to understand. It could be the most clean-cut kid in your school.”

He just snapped. “They never ‘just snap,’ ” Carter said. “Never.” No one knew. He hadn’t threatened anyone. He was a loner. He was mentally ill. If only we’d had a SWAT team. “Most of these events are done in 12 minutes or less,” Carter said. “It’s going to be on the school resource officer. It’s going to be on the policeman on the beat to show up.” He had never touched a gun. We did everything we could to help him.

School violence is rampant. “School violence is not rampant,” Carter said. “School violence is very well-publicized.”