Actions

Green Country schools plan for the worst in wake of the latest campus shooting

Posted
and last updated

TULSA, Okla. -- At this point, TPS is in early planning stages, but with another school shooting on their radar campus police are looking at every option.

That includes new technology and additional staff, anything officers find necessary to protect their schools.

"Security is a process. We want to continue to stay up on the latest. We're definitely planning on having discussions, team discussions to improve safety," Tulsa Public Schools Chief of Police Matthias Wicks said.

From Tulsa to Sand Springs, training is one of the biggest points of discussion. As administrators go into the school year ahead, they're considering plans to teach methods like barricading so students never feel like a victim.

"What are the steps students can take to protect themselves actively instead of just being passive targets, hiding under a desk?" Sand Springs Assistant Superintendent Rob Miller said.

The Sand Springs safe school committee is also looking at new technology, like wedges to put under doors or bars to go across handles, making it harder for intruders to enter the classroom.

"It makes us feel a little bit helpless to be honest because we want to do everything possible to prevent this from happening again. But when you have active shooters that are students within those schools it makes it very difficult," Miller said.

Tulsa schools are shifting the culture with students as well, trying to make them aware and report anything suspicious, as adults on campus do the same.

"It puts me on high alert as I always am but if these incidents occur again it really just makes me want to concentrate even more so on keeping our community safe," Wicks said.

Wicks said he was also fielding calls from parents on Friday, some offering to volunteer to add an extra level of security.

Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.

Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.

Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook