In a recent episode of Secured, hosts Mike Matranga and Mike Monsive confronted the harsh realities of school safety, criticizing the continued reliance on ineffective solutions. They argue that despite the presence of School Resource Officers (SROs) in many schools, real safety requires more than just reactive responses.
Matranga pointed out that, after countless school shootings since Columbine, there's still a false narrative that SROs alone can prevent violence. While SROs are crucial, they often arrive too late to stop an attack in progress. The duo also criticized the reliance on panic buttons and gunshot detection systems, which fail to address the root causes of violence. According to Matranga, many school districts are wasting taxpayer money on these flashy but ineffective solutions instead of focusing on more proactive measures.
One of the key issues highlighted was the lack of proper vetting and training for school safety directors. Many schools delegate security roles to unqualified staff, such as assistant superintendents or maintenance directors. Monsive and Matranga emphasized the importance of having trained, knowledgeable professionals leading school safety efforts, as well as the need for a national standard for school security.
They also called out the political theater surrounding school safety, with legislators passing laws, like Texas's House Bill 3, mandating officers on every campus without providing funding.
Ultimately, the hosts advocate for a return to basics—training educators to identify warning signs, understanding mental health indicators, and improving communication protocols to create truly secure environments. By focusing on root causes and practical solutions, they believe meaningful change is possible.
