School safety
An editorial written by Justin Burns after the tragedy in Parkland, Florida, on February 14th, 2018, shared as published in the Virginian Pilot.
As a candidate for the Virginia Beach School Board, I’ve been asked by many concerned parents and many of my peers what can we do to make our schools safer?
As a Bayside High School senior, I have seen first-hand the security measures being provided in our K-12 schools. Some changes have been made, but we can do more, and we can certainly do better.
We must review and enforce laws that prevent people with mental illnesses from buying a gun. As a member of the School Board, I will fight to improve the security systems in Beach schools. The Public School Security Equipment Grant Act of 2013 allows school divisions in Virginia to apply for funds to buy security equipment and pay for related installation costs. We need leaders on our School Board who are willing to go after some of this funding.
We also should control building access, and install reinforced doors and locks, as well as security cameras. We can integrate emerging security technologies that are common sense.
Our efforts cannot end there. Our law enforcement agencies need to have a bigger role in identifying and stopping the next shooter before it’s too late. Ensuring that law enforcement personnel are familiar with the school property as well as members of the administrations would be helpful in preparing for and navigating situations that could put the lives of staff and students in danger.
To be absolutely clear, I don’t believe the challenge we are facing is a gun problem. It’s a wellness problem. We must do all that we can to transform the culture of divisiveness and negativity that has plagued our country.
I’m running for the School Board because the leadership needed to implement real solutions has to come from the top. All too often, our leaders stand by and act too late. I will work tirelessly to make sure our students receive the best education possible and are safe in our schools.
This isn’t a Republican or Democratic issue. It’s a public safety issue. If people who can make changes continue to minimize the severity of this issue, we will continue to get nothing done. It’s not about blaming law-abiding citizens, and it isn’t a ploy to advance some barbarous agenda.
This is a pledge to fight for our students’ safety. It’s a call to lawmakers from local to federal office, to students, teachers, parents and staff. We must make it a priority to stand up for public education and make school safety a priority to save all of our lives.
