Put Armed Officers in Elementary Schools, Consultant Urges School Board

Safe Havens International is recommending that the Hillsborough County School Board place armed security in every elementary school.

A consultant reviewing school safety policies is advising the Hillsborough County School Board to place armed officers in every elementary school. The Tampa Bay Times is reporting that Michael Dorn of Safe Havens International (see Safe Havens' video with this article) was hired in January to review school safety policies and come up with a list of improvements. The decision to bring in Safe Havens followed the Sandy Hook school shootings in Connecticut. Safe Havens' plan for Hillsborough schools is to place trained, armed security guards in every elementary school. The firm said that the officers need to be screen and supervised as well. Superintendent MaryEllen Elia has estimated the cost for 130 security officers to be $700,000 for the …

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Brandon School Security Plan Announcement Coming Today

Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent MaryEllen Elia has called a press conference this morning to discuss long-term security plans.

What will happen to increased security measures at Brandon elementary schools is the topic of discussion at a press conference called for later this morning by Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent MaryEllen Elia. The conference, set for 10:30 a.m., takes place at the Raymond O. Shelton School Administrative Center, 901 E. Kennedy Blvd. Elia, according to the district, will appear with law enforcement representatives, principals and PTA members to announce what will happen with school security after the 2012-13 academic year passes. “Elia will discuss a multifaceted, long-term plan to improve security at elementary schools during the 2013-2014 school year and beyond,” a district release said. All Hillsborough County elementary …

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What's Tampa Bay Saying?

Elementary School Security: Should It Be Increased?

In the wake of the Newtown, Conn., tragedy, some local law enforcement agencies are beefing up patrols at elementary schools. We want to hear from you Tampa Bay on whether this is a good idea or not?

On a crisp December Friday, a lone gunman walked onto an elementary school campus in Newtown, Conn., and began a rampage that would ultimately end the lives of 20 children, all between the ages of 6 and 7, and seven adults – himself included. As the grim news unfolded, people across America sat glued to the latest media reports on the internet and television. Most asked why this happened. Some desperately sought answers to the question of how such a shooting could occur in the first place. Sanity questions aside, they wanted to know how a gunman could get onto a secured campus and wreak such havoc. That’s the question local law enforcement seems to have been wrestling with, as well. As law enforcement continues to unravel the details of …

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How Would Brandon Schools React In A Crisis?

Normally, the school's ParentLink System is used to call or email parents in a crisis situation. But, in the event of a school shooting, officials caution that they may not be able to use that system.

It's something parents would rather not think about. However, in light of today's elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn., it's a topic that can hardly be ignored.  While the likelihood of there being a school shooting in Hillsborough County is slim, (Hillsborough County has the eighth largest school district in the nation and has never had a school shooting), the Hillsborough County School District isn't taking any chances when it comes to the safety of students and staff, said Cpt. Bamir Ode of the Hillsborough County School Security Services Department. "We have a crisis plan in place for each school in the district," said Ode. "I can't discuss details of the plans because it would put the plans in jeopardy. But we're prepared if …

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