Stephens, a professor of education, has developed dozens of security strategies that he will share at the Summit on Youth Violence Saturday in Denver. The summit, sponsored by Gov. Bill Owens and Attorney General Ken Salazar, is designed to stimulate constructive ideas on safety. Other agencies should help with personal, family, emotional and school troubles. Adopt dress codes for teachers and students, showing cultures and races the same respect. Groomed landscaping adds serenity, beauty and clearer lines of sight of trouble.
Adults watch kids everywhere, including bathrooms.
Students are asked to help design defenses from violent intruders or deranged people in classrooms. A hot line takes anonymous tips about troublemakers from students and teachers, who also try to create a sense of community. Local educators see the value of combining paranoia with compassion, protection with prevention. We're not always sure how to balance it. Students have rights, too, and we need to be sensitive to that.