On March 27, 2023 the city of Nashville changed forever. An unspeakable and terrible tragedy occurred when a coward entered the Covenant School located at 33 Burton Hills Blvd in Nashville, Tennessee and murdered six innocent people, three of them were children. Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney, all 9 years old and three adults; Cynthia Peak, Katherine Koonce, and Mike Hill are the six names that will forever be etched in Nashvillians. What a sad day! Covert Results was called to assist in preparation and planning of the security for the celebration of life for Hallie Scruggs and future armed security at the school. We are so grateful that we were trusted to take on that monumental role and to attempt to provide a sliver of comfort for the family and hope to the community. Covert Results has been called upon to place physical security in schools so we have now deployed numerous armed security officers in various schools around Middle Tennessee. In this blog we have listed 9 common measures that a school may take to improve school security. 

School security is the measures and protocols put in place to ensure the safety and security of students, staff, and visitors in schools. The primary goal of school security is to prevent and respond to any potential threats to the school, including violence, crime, and natural disasters. It all starts with a solid safety and security plan! 

Below are 9 common measures that schools may take to improve security include:

  1. Physical security measures such as special locks, ballistic laminate film, and cameras.

  2. School resource officers (SROs) or equivalent, who are specially trained active or retired  law enforcement officers who work in schools to help prevent and respond to incidents.

  3. Emergency preparedness plans, including regular drills and active shooter training for staff and students in the event of an emergency.

  4. Mental health services, including counseling and support for students who may be struggling with emotional or behavioral issues.

  5. Regular monitoring of social media and other online platforms for potential threats or warning signs. 

  6. Access to licensed private investigators who can gather intel on potential threats. 

  7. A comprehensive security assessment based on crimes occurring in the area and potential threats. 

  8. Policies and protocols for visitors, including checking identification and requiring a valid reason for entering the school.

  9. Programs and initiatives aimed at promoting positive school culture and reducing bullying and other forms of harmful behavior.

One additional security measure note mentioned above is to arm teachers. Although not ideal and not too common, if a private school teacher is willing and able to carry a concealed firearm while on the school grounds then Covert Results security experts Robert Young and Steven Jenkins, who are State Certified Handgun Instructors, will come to your school and train and certify the teacher(s) to carry in their school. 

Overall, effective school security requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach that involves the entire school community, including students, parents, teachers, administrators, law enforcement, and private security. It comes down to one word…communication! Discuss a plan, put it in motion, and take action on protecting our children and our future. 

Covert Results is the premier private investigations, armed security, cyber security, and training company you’ve been searching for. Our team of highly skilled experts have amassed over 100 years of experience in all fields, from investigations to security concerns. Being a member and working within a global network called The Entrepreneurs Organization allows us to provide excellent service anywhere on Earth – truly bringing peace of mind through our world class services! Be sure to follow @CovertResults across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the latest information regarding investigator expertise as well as moments shared by our community! If you need us to guide you to that peace of mind you are looking for, call or text 615-861-1680 or email contact@covertresults.com.