After the Louisiana Purchase, during the time the West was being settled, Indians were revolting with violence. History records strict security was the answer; Forts were built, settlers secured their homes, night guards were placed on migrating wagon trains.

Hijackers of airplanes were the next wave of violence. History records strict security was the answer; access to terminals and boarding gates was secured. Strict security was put in place to control what passengers could carry onto the airplanes of commercial airlines.

Acts of terrorist became the next wave of violence. History records strict security was the answer; Homeland Security was put in place and FBI and other agencies have all but eliminated terrorist violence with strict, vigilant security.

Now we are faced with school violence. Will history record we never tried strict security? Schools should be forts for safe learning —they are not. Schools should be safe places for children to learn; for teachers to teach; for administrators—they are not.

Consider our prisons: Fencing with gates controlled from inside prisons, gives security to those within and also gives security to those without. It would be next to impossible to get inside a prison (even a minimum security prison) with an assault weapon. Children, teachers and administrators deserve no less. Will history record we never tried strict security around our schools?

School districts pass bonds in the millions to build new schools, upgrade present facilities and improve sports stadiums and facilities. It may be that every parent and grandparent would vote yes to bond packages if they contained appropriations for strict security. We must not let our attention stray away from strict security which has always worked.  

Let the debates continue: Eventually good things will come from debates about gun control; from debates about mental health issues and debates about background checks and law enforcement. However, strict security is something every school, every parent, and every grandparent can get involved in, today— right now—and history tells us it will make a difference!   

Dean Price