Additional school security in the form of an increased police presence on campus will also help. I have introduced a measure, AB 1038, which would establish a security perimeter of 1,000 feet around a school. Schools can adopt other security measures. The installation of metal detectors has cut down on the number of weapons that students are able to sneak into schools. Student safety committees working with administrators would enable peers to express their concerns.
Counselors can provide parents with a list of warning signs in their children s behavior.
These government actions make schools safer, but they are not the solution to the present crisis. The ability to shape the values and attitudes of society places families and communities in the best position to address school violence. The solution lies with our families and communities, not the government. Not only can this strengthen the bond between parent and child, it imparts a clear sense of right and wrong. By providing children with a nurturing environment and a strong moral compass, parents will take a giant stride in alleviating this problem.