GREENSBORO, N.C. - State leaders say there isn't one answer to stopping violence in schools, but many of them. That's why the Governor’s Crime Commission Special Committee on School Shootings asked parents, teachers, students, and law enforcement to come together – to hear their suggestions, to keep students safe.
After the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, state leaders here at home decided - enough was enough.
“It’s human nature to say, that's horrible and it's not going to happen where I live, and that’s simply not true,” said Governor’s Crime Commission Chair Robert Evans.
Forming a task force, the group came up with different categories to work on. First - training school resource officers. Second, working on the physical security to a school building, both old and new. Third, a better way to address threats and potential threats, early on. Next, fixing communication between law enforcement agencies - and schools. Finally, the committee wants to find all the other gaps, and change laws to fill them.
Evans is a district attorney, with an extensive law enforcement background, but says this team doesn't have all the answers.
“We're looking at it from one perspective,” he said, “The people who live it every day have ideas that we need to continue to think about and incorporate as we look for solutions.”
In a packed room Thursday night, that's what happened. People from all points and perspectives across our area weighed in. They brought up issues of mental health and the need for school psychologists; the importance of building connections between students, and resource officers; whether to arm teachers, or to allow concealed carry on campuses. All of these thoughts were documented, and will be put into the Committee’s report – which it will submit to the Governor in the beginning of the new year.
Two High Point Central students - John Poston and Annabelle Fisher - say talks like this are necessary, as long as their voices are heard, too.
“It’s often difficult to hear adults, or people not even related to the school, speak for us,” said Poston, “And I think people need to be more proactive in hearing the opinions of the students.”
“Despite the tragedy, hope can arise,” said Fisher, “And i think that's what's gotten me through on this tough journey that I’m taking to take a stand against gun violence.”
Many voices, coming together for a common goal of safer schools - on the horizon.
► Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the WFMY News 2 App now