Description of safety strategy:
I believe that all safety techniques shown here are valuable, useful, and necessary to some degree. However, every school community has a different culture and therefore standardized programs are at risk of being too generic and ineffective. A good way to accomplish safety goals is to personalize it and taylor programs to the individual needs of the school. This could be done by creating the position of a Safety Coordinator in the school. The position would work directly with the PTO and the school administration to develop and administer a comprehensive safety program. In addition, the health issues could be incorporated. Any or all techniques described: police, metal detectors, classroom education, character development, identification and intervention programs, tip hot lines, parenting classes, add Drug and Stranger safety, etc. Subsequent programs would be integrated into the classroom and would involve teachers, students, parents, and administration.
In my opinion, a position such as this would just as important as any other administrative position and well worth the tax payers' dollars. One final comment, in order to keep the focus where it belongs, the position should be one that is nominated/elected, or perhaps contracted - with careful consideration to avoid political agendas.