North Texas Districts Respond to Uvalde Shooting

  • By Matt Jones
  • May 31, 2022

School districts in North Texas are increasing security after last week’s shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 students and two adults.

Keller ISD announced that it has implemented additional police patrols and security presence for its last two days of school this week, according to local news. A spokesperson from Fort Worth ISD said that their district also plans to increase police presence in schools, especially in elementary schools.

Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes posted a video message on Twitter last week to reassure district families that school resource officers are present on campus every day for onsite security. He also said that neighborhood police have been requested to provide additional focus on schools. Fort Worth Police Department officers are also authorized to attend school events in uniform whether on- or off-duty, Noakes said in the video.

“We’re working with our Fusion Center, our real-time crime center to monitor any threats that could occur. We’ve got our volunteers out at campuses, being our eyes and ears at our campuses,” said Noakes. “We’ll continue to do everything we can to keep Fort Worth safe, but this is something we need everyone’s help in.”

Local parents have also acknowledged the complexity of the situation. “I think the thing that overwhelms me is that it’s such a complicated problem and an important problem. For whatever reason, nobody seems to be trying to tackle it,” said Ken Kuhl, father of a third-grade student in Fort Worth. “I know it’s complicated. I know there’s no easy answers. Maybe that’s why people don’t try and tackle it. I don’t know. I can’t be in their heads, but nothing is being done.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning and Campus Security and Life Safety. He can be reached at [email protected]

Featured

  • Campus Parking Problems: Modern Security Solutions

    Parking: for many, it’s an everyday fact of life. Whenever we drive somewhere, we must consider parking, and often, that parking experience sets our mood and expectations for the rest of the journey. Whether a quick grocery store pickup or long-term airport parking, the parking lot is an integral part of whatever type of campus you’re visiting. This includes destinations like retail stores, your local high school, hospitals, and the park-and-ride systems present in major cities. Read Now

  • The Critical Need for Naloxone on School Campuses

    The opioid crisis is escalating across the United States, increasingly affecting all segments of the population, including students on K-12 and college campuses. As the threat from opioids, especially fentanyl, becomes more widespread, it's critical for schools to have naloxone available—an antidote for opioid overdoses. This article discusses why naloxone should be as common as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in educational settings. Read Now

  • Best Practices for A Holistic Approach to Video Solutions in Campus Security

    Video surveillance is one of the most common security measures implemented by educational institutions today, but installing cameras is just the beginning. Adopting a holistic, comprehensive approach to video surveillance is a more effective way to safeguard campus communities and fully realize the value of your investment in physical security systems. Read Now

  • Back to School Planning is a Year-Round Commitment

    With summer underway, K-12 and college students, faculty, and staff are taking a well-earned break to recharge and gear up for the fall. It’s also the season when security professionals can get in and get busy installing upgrades and retrofits before the new school year starts. It’s a brief window, but, thanks to diligent planning throughout the year, the pros are always ready to hit the ground running at the last bell of spring term to make the most out of the limited time available. Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars

Whitepapers