Fairleigh Dickinson University Hosts School Violence Seminar

On November 16, 2006 Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ hosted a school violence seminar.  The seminar was a collaboration of the North Jersey Regional Crime Prevention Officers Association and the Public Safety Department of Fairleigh Dickinson University.

David Miles, Director of Public Safety for the University and Lt. Patrick Fay of the Hackensack Police Department, who serves as President of the NJRCPOA provided the unity of effort leadership that made the event a success.  Attendees represented law enforcement, schools, corporations and private citizens and included:

• Drew University
• Office of the Morris County Prosecutor
• Emerson Police Department
• Caldwell College
• Bernards Township Public Schools
• Marsh USA, Inc.
• Fairlawn Board of Education
• Hoboken Board of Education
• Trenton Public School District
• Passaic Valley Regional High School
• Bergen County Sheriffs Office
• Teaneck Police Department
• Jersey City Police Department
• Hackensack Public Schools
• Carlstadt Public Schools
• Hackensack Police Department
• Fairleigh Dickinson University
• Office of the Sussex County Prosecutor
• Lyndhurst Police Department
• State of New Jersey Department of Education
• Village of Mamaroneck NY Police Department
• Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Teaneck
• Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies

As the featured speaker, I was honored to present School Security: Crisis Management, Emergency Planning, Lockdowns and Evacuations to this concerned audience.  The issues and solutions regarding school violence demand a comprehensive approach and my presentation highlighted:

• Chronology of School Violence Tragedies
• Culture of Preparedness, Leadership and Partnerships
• Marginalized American Youth
• Gang Awareness
• Cyberspace Concerns — myspace.com
• Bullying
• Alcohol and Drug Issues
• Terrorism
• Character Education
• School Resource Officers
• Personal Safety Training
• Youth Police Academies
• U.S. Secret Service Safe School Initiative
• Security Vulnerability Assessments
• Safety Policies
• Crisis Management
• Cultivating a Culture of Respect
• School Lock-down and Evacuation Procedures
• Early Warning and Timely Response Guide
• Bomb Threat Protocol
• In Service Training Programs
• Supervisory Presence and Prevention Techniques
• Educational and Disciplinary Principles for Educators
• Secure Our Schools Grant Opportunities

School safety remains a serious concern and efforts of the entire community of law enforcement, educators, students, families, security, and first responders must have leadership and vigilance as the foundational pillars.