How one school proactively addresses potential threats – Macomb Daily

They call it Columbine Lock.

It was inspired by the April 20, 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, in which two teenagers went on a rampage, killing 13 people and injuring 20 others before turning their weapons on themselves and committing suicide. It is a device that allows teachers and students to lock a door from the inside.

The goal is to keep an active shooter away.

“It’s very simple, but a great idea,” says Jason Cox, a retired police officer and director of safety for Fraser Public Schools.

In the new position created by the district, Cox will work out of an office at Richards Middle School and collaborate with the district’s police liaison to ensure safety efforts remain proactive throughout the district.

“My role here is not just about advising and responding to school shootings,” Cox said. “It’s about addressing a wide range of issues, from bullying and smuggling on school grounds to working with the district’s security and evacuation teams to mass casualty incidents.”

This is a huge task.

Just last week, just 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.

At a time of unprecedented school violence, protecting people and his community is Cox’s job, and one he was trained to do.

“I always wanted to be a police officer. It’s been my dream since I was a kid,” says Cox, who began his career as a deputy with the Sheriff’s Office in San Juan, New Mexico.

After more than 20 years as a police officer in a community that had itself been the victim of a high school shooting, and as a SWAT team officer and crisis negotiator, he retired feeling somewhat uneasy about it.

“When I was with the sheriff’s office, I was part of something bigger than myself. I was part of an agency that was 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 job, I got my mission back, and that is to keep the staff and students as safe as possible.”

Fraser is one of the few districts in the county that has created such a position.

“We believe this role is critical to developing, implementing and managing safety protocols, emergency preparedness and crisis response plans,” said Carrie Wozniak, superintendent of Fraser Public Schools. “Having a dedicated professional in this position will allow us to proactively address potential threats.”

Wozniak said Cox will complement the already strong relationship Fraser has with law enforcement and will work with SEC (Secure Education Consultants), a company that has worked with the district for several years.

Her company was the first to advise the district to install security cameras and Columbine locks in all classrooms.

Following the shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas – where a gunman opened fire in two adjacent classrooms, killing 19 children and two teachers – questions have been raised about how it happened, including the fact that the school’s doors could not be locked from the inside.

It was an old school dating back to the 1960s, so teachers had to keep their classroom doors closed and locked at all times, using keys that they had to carry with them. However, according to a report by NBC News, a teacher at the school said that this system often led to errors.

“Every time she and her class returned from lunch or the bathroom, she had to unlock the door handle with the key – and hope that she remembered to lock the door again before going back in,” she said.

This year, Fraser completed the task for all classrooms and also included social workers’ offices, conference rooms and break rooms. Now, when a school is closed, both students and teachers can quickly close and lock the doors.

The district has also updated the public announcement system in all schools, making it easier and faster to lock down or place a building on lockdown, and has installed security film on interior windows to make it more difficult to break the glass.

“These have also been installed on all the windows,” Cox said, pulling down a blackout shade in his office. “Now the suspect cannot see who, if anyone, is in the room.”

Similar improvements have been reported in other Macomb County school districts, which are taking a proactive approach to school safety and security, including new doors and locks, public address systems, a shared surveillance access or direct alarm button for local police, emergency equipment and designated safe spaces in classrooms, and new double-security entrances.

One school system – Lakeview Public Schools – has even hired police dog units that can detect explosives, even things as small as bullets, as well as drugs. During the school year, the dog units will be present in schools, not just at one school, but on all campuses, as well as at evening events such as football games, concerts or graduation ceremonies.

When they are not on patrol, the dogs not only provide a fun distraction for the students, but also make them feel a little safer.

Part of the proactive movement also includes hiring academic interventionists who can help students with learning disabilities before calling in specialized services such as counselors and social workers.

“I don’t think we’ll ever stop this – but the more tools we have to protect people and reduce the number of victims, the better,” Cox said, noting that within minutes of the report of shootings at Apalachee High School in Georgia, two school security officers encountered the shooter.

The suspect immediately turned himself in and was taken into custody.

“Historically, these active shooters either stop shooting, surrender or attempt suicide once police arrive,” Cox said.

OK2SAY

As the new school year begins and in response to recent events, the Macomb County District Attorney’s Office has issued a wake-up call urging parents and teachers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or threats through Michigan’s anonymous tip line, OK2SAY.

“If you see, hear or know of something that threatens the safety of students or the school, it is imperative that you speak up,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a press release.

OK2SAY, a confidential safety program that allows students and the public to report potential threats to schools, students or staff by texting 652729 or calling 8-555-OK2SAY. All tips are forwarded to appropriate authorities, including school officials, law enforcement and mental health services, to address harmful behavior before it escalates.

There are also mental health resources available for those in crisis, 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 at school and the serious consequences of making threats at school. Despite a drop in charges from 145 warrant applications and indictments in the 2022-2023 school year to 99 warrant applications last year, officials say even one is too many.

In addition to ongoing educational initiatives, there is the Hero Award, which is given to students who are involved in preventing violence in schools.

Parents should also be aware that in some cases they may be held financially liable when law enforcement seeks compensation for responding to and investigating incidents involving threats, violence, or weapons at school. Last year, a police department in Macomb County sought more than $12,000 in damages after a student made a threat against the school.

The Macomb County District Attorney’s Office also offers presentations on threats, violence and weapons in schools. Schools interested in arranging a presentation can contact Heather Esposito at 586-469-5642 or via email at [email protected].