Macomb Daily: On guard: How one school is proactively addressing potential threats
By: GINA JOSEPH | Macomb Daily| September 16, 2024
They call it a Columbine Lock.
It was inspired by the massacre on April 20, 1999 at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., where two teens went on a shooting spree, killing 13 people, and injuring 20 more before turning their guns on themselves and dying by suicide, it is a device that allows teachers and students to lock a door from the inside.
The aim is to keep an active shooter outside.
“It’s very simple but a great idea,” said Jason Cox, a retired law enforcement officer and director of safety and security for Fraser Public Schools.
The new position created by the district has Cox working out of an office at Richards Middle School in conjunction with the district’s police liaison to ensure safety and security efforts throughout the district remain proactive.
“My role here is not just consulting and responding to active shooters,” Cox said. “It’s about addressing a broad range of issues from bullying and contraband on school property to working with the district’s safety and natural disaster evacuation teams all the way up to mass casualties.”
The video player is currently playing an ad.
It’s a mighty job to shoulder.
Just last week and only days after the first day of the new school year, a 14-year-old student opened fire at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia killing two students and two teachers.
In a time of unprecedented school violence, protecting people and his community is what Cox was trained to do.
“I’ve always wanted to be a police officer. It was something I wanted to do since I was a kid,” said Cox, who started his career as a deputy working for the Sheriff’s Office in San Juan, New Mexico.
After more than 20 years of policing in a community that suffered its own high school shooting, serving as an officer for the S.W.A.T. team and crisis negotiator, he retired but it left him a little out of sorts.
“When I was with the sheriff’s office I was part of something bigger than myself. I was part of an agency dedicated to keeping people and the community safe,” said the husband and father of three adult children. “After I retired I lost that. When I got this position I got my mission back and that’s to keep the staff and students as safe as I can.”
Fraser is one of a handful of districts in the county that has created a position like this.
“We believe this role is essential for developing, implementing and managing safety protocols, emergency preparedness and crisis response plans,” said Fraser Public Schools Superintendent Carrie Wozniak. “By having a dedicated professional in this position we are able to proactively address potential threats.”
Wozniak said Cox will complement the strong relationship they already have with Fraser law enforcement and work in collaboration with SEC (Secure Education Consultants), a company that has been working with the district for several years.
It was their firm that first advised the district to install security cameras and Columbine locks on all classrooms.
In the aftermath of the shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas — where a gunman opened fire inside a pair of conjoined classrooms, killing 19 children and two teachers — questions were raised about how this could happen one of the things noted was the doors in the school could not be locked from the inside.
A view of the Columbine lock and the blackout window shade pulled down at Edison Elementary. Also shown is a red bag containing supplies that might be needed in the case of an emergency. Photo courtesy of Fraser Public Schools
It was an old school built in the 1960, so teachers had to keep their classroom doors closed and locked at all times, using keys that they were required to carry with them. However, according to a report by NBC News, a teacher at the school said this system created frequent opportunities for mistakes.
“Each time she and her class returned from lunch or from the bathroom, she said, she had to use her key to unlock the door handle — and hope that she remembered to relock it again before going back inside,” she said.
This year Fraser completed the task for all classrooms and included social workers’ offices, conference rooms and breakout rooms. Now when any school is in lockdown both students and teachers can quickly close the doors and lock them.
The district also replaced the public announcement system at every school, making it easier and faster to put a building into a lockdown or lockout and installed security film on internal windows designed to make it harder to break the glass.
“These were also installed on all of the windows,” said Cox, pulling down a blackout window shade in his office. “Now the suspect cannot see who, if anyone, is inside the room.”
These kinds of upgrades were also reported in other Macomb County school districts, which are taking a proactive approach to safety and school security including new doors and locks, PA systems, shared surveillance access or a direct alert button for local police, emergency kits and designated safe spots in the classrooms and new entrances to double up on security.
Jason Cox, director of safety and security for Fraser Public Schools participates in a ‘getting to know you’ activity” with seventh-graders in Jackie Carter’s language arts class at Richards Middle School.
One school system– Lakeview Public Schools — has also continued to employ a full-time onsite safety dog team provided by Zebra K9. The dogs are trained to detect explosives, even something as small as a bullet as well as narcotics. During the year school the team will have a presence not only in the schools, but during evening events such as football games, concerts or graduation.
When not on patrol, the canines not only provide a fun distraction for students, but make them feel a little safer.
Also part of the proactive movement is the hiring of academic interventionists, who can help students who are struggling before any specialized services are requested such as counselors and social workers.
“I don’t think we’re ever going to stop it – but the more tools we have to protect people and reduce casualties the better,” Cox said, noting within minutes after a report of shots fired went out in Georgia’s Apalachee High School two school resource officers encountered the shooter.
The suspect immediately surrendered and was taken into custody.
“Historically, these active shooters will either stop shooting, surrender or (attempt) suicide as soon as any law enforcement arrives,” Cox said.
OK2SAY
As the new school year begins and in the wake of recent events the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office sent out a clarion call urging parents, and educators to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity or threats through Michigan’s anonymous tip line, OK2SAY.
“If you see something, hear something, or know something that threatens student or school safety, it is imperative that you say something,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a news release.
OK2SAY, a confidential safety program that students and the public can use to report potential threats to schools, students, or staff via text at 652729 or by calling 8-555-OK2SAY. All tips are shared with the appropriate authorities, including school officials, law enforcement, and mental health services, to address harmful behaviors before they escalate.
There are also mental health resources for those who might be facing a crisis situation and both adults and students are encouraged to reach out to a school counselor or mentor. Those seeking a mental health professional can also visit the Macomb County Community Mental Health website at mccmh.net or call 586-307-9100. In emergencies, individuals are encouraged to call 911.
Parents are also encouraged to talk to their children about the strict zero-tolerance policy against threats, violence, and weapons in school and the severe consequences of making school threats. Despite a decline in charges, from 145 warrant requests and charges in the 2022-2023 school year to 99 warrant requests last year, officials say even one is too many.
Besides the ongoing educational initiatives there’s the Hero Award, presented to students who play a role in preventing school violence.
Parents should also know in some cases, they may be financially liable if law enforcement agencies seek compensation for responding to and investigating incidents involving school threats, violence, or weapons. Last year, a police agency in Macomb County requested over $12,000 in restitution after a student made a school threat.
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office also offers presentations on school threats, violence, and weapons. Schools interested in scheduling a presentation can contact Heather Esposito at 586-469-5642 or emailing her at Heather.Esposito@macombgov.org.