Living with fear: Readers react to school killings

With all the school violence taking place these days I am seriously thinking of homeschooling my youngest child. He won't be school age for another three years but who knows how bad it will be by then. After spending 10 years working in the security field I went to work at a local school. Their "security" was sadly lacking, it consisted of a few janitors with radios. Everyday that I worked there I was fearful (and watchful) for the students.
— Patricia, Ariz.

I'm 13 years old and in junior high school. I know how difficult it is to fit in. I just am worried that someday, someone's words, or even just resentfulness to others, may push someone over the edge. I've seen firsthand what terrible things some kids can do out of hate, fear, and just not being accepted. It's scary sometimes, but you have to live on even after these events. You also can't just suspect that one group of people is capable of doing this. Anyone can honestly be a hazard to anyone else.
— Tucker

My children have graduated but my daughter is a teacher. I feel that is time for the news media to stop making these criminals that kill school children or teachers into folk heroes with their 15 minutes of fame ... ignore them, publish their names only — we don't care anymore why they did it! It is never their fault but was their families fault, they were unloved, they are druggies, their dog hated them, whatever. Instead focus on the victims and their families, honoring their lives! If these jerks who are considering these dastardly deeds see they will not get the publicity they seek, maybe they will just shoot themselves instead of taking innocent lives!
— Shirley Mondeaux, Holland, Pa.

We are ready to move back to Europe! After living in Germany for four years, my kids were terrified to return to school in the states because of all the school shootings and sniper rampages we read about in the international news. Yes, there are nuts in every country, but most of them don't have unlimited access to firearms. It makes a difference in the amount of damage they can inflict. Perhaps it is time to join the civilized world and start valuing life over the "right" to bear arms. Our family won't feel safe until our states reform their ridiculously loose gun laws. I'm tired of being held hostage by the NRA.
— Anonymous, Ellicott City, Md.

I have only been out of school for 10 years and am dumbfounded by our kids today. What kind of a world do we live in when a 15 year old shoots the principle for punishing him? We as parents should be just as ashamed as anyone else! We are the ones that teach our kids right from wrong and that there are consequences to our actions. If nobody teaches these kids about consequences who will and will it be too late. Today kids have a total lack of respect for any authority figures and a sense of entitlement to Lord knows what. I was taught that you get what you give. You don't deserve something because you breathed for the day. We as a society need to get back to the core family values! Spend time with our kids, talk about their day the good and the bad. We can't use the "I am just too busy" excuse. I work 40+ hours a week and still find time to talk to my children every day and spend quality time with them. I make time. Even if it means getting an hour less sleep our leaving the laundry for the next day. America - turn off your TV and sit down with your kids.
— Shannon Apel, Borwnsdale, Minn.

The thing that worries me the most is that no matter how much security or how little security there is at a school it still can happen anywhere. If someone is willing to try it no one will probably be able to stop them. The scariest part is no one knows who is actually capable of doing these acts. The person could be the kindest, sweetest person or the most secluded or withdrawn. With the recent school shootings I don’t think I can feel safe. I am a college student attending a university and I think if it can happen in an elementary, middle or high school then it can happen at a community college or university.
— Amanda Willingham, Yspilanit, Mich.

Protection of students at schools is yet another aspect at which America as a whole is failing. Quality healthcare, assistance for the disadvantaged, the elimination of homelessness, healthcare for the poor — and now, school safety. The prevention of the loss of innocent lives in the most innocent of settings. ... We concentrate on nothing other than our constant battles in a losing war on drugs and a losing war on terrorism. Let these recent killings, as well as the other recent school killings, be a reminder of who the real terrorists are and where they're coming from. Recognize that indeed, these are official acts of terrorism, and obviously, "HopelessLand Security" is obviously is not working to effect any security on the home front.
— Alonzo Jackson Howard, Houston

I am acutely aware that this sort of violence can happen anywhere. Though we live in a "safe" community, the attacks we have seen in schools since Columbine have been in "safe," less urban communities. My 15-year-old has had a cell phone for 3 1/2 years. Though his school policy is that phones are to be in lockers, I instruct him to keep the ringer off and the phone in his pocket. I do not apologize for betraying this rule. I know without a doubt that the school cannot guarantee the safety of my children. They can take many precautions, but there are no more guarantees that our school won't have a problem any more that I am guaranteed not to be hit by a bus. It saddens me greatly that our world has become such a violent one. I am very seriously considering outfitting my 7 and 8 year olds with a phone as well. I realize that a cell phone does not make my children safe. I do at least feel more connected, and somewhat (maybe foolishly) empowered to do my part if anything were to happen.
— Heav, Bettendorf, Iowa

What worries me the most is that absolutely nothing can be done to stop this sort of event. If there had been a guard at the school he/she would have been shot first. If there were a gate it would have been broken down. If the door had been locked, well, I think it is clear. Here is the issue, as I see it: Despite what is shown on television dramas, law enforcement is not very skilled at dealing with these situations when they do occur. What must be realized is that while every precaution should be taken to prevent such a thing from happening, it is even more important to provide law enforcement with the training and resources to effectively deal with it when it does occur. I don't have the answers as to what the response should be, but I fervently hope that there are those who do and that they are able to share that knowledge with the greatest number of those in the "first responder" community.
— Rick, Phoenix, Ariz.

I feel safe at my school, it seems to be the safest place around here. We have a cop, and there are teachers everywhere. Plus, most kids at [my school] gossip enough that word gets around about a fight before it happens. Therefore I believe that someone would overhear of plans to shoot people at this school. Students seem safe, but anyone can walk into a school.
— K.A., Des Moines, Iowa

Our children are homeschooled, and the past week has made me very relieved that is so. What has happened to American society? I was in school from '65 until '78, and it never crossed my mind that one day a maniac would enter our building and start shooting. It makes the air-raid drills which we did in grade school seem like a picnic. I believe we have lost our moral moorings to the entertainment world of video, TV and movie violence. It almost makes one wonder if we are going to soon need marshals posted at the door of each school.
— Marcia, Lynden, Ontario, Canada

No, I certainly don't feel safe at school. I'm a teacher, and it is becoming increasingly more difficult to walk into the classroom and function in a normal manner. Teachers fear reprimanding their students — wondering if this one might come back with a gun because we told him to sit down and be quiet, or to stop yelling in the halls! As a result, the classroom environment is more chaotic, the kids are virtually in control, and school is simply an unpleasant place to be for both teachers and students. I love my job. I love the kids I teach. But daily I ask myself if the $980 I get every two weeks (after five years of teaching and 15 credits towards a master's degree) is worth it. Folks wonder why the school system seems to be going in the toilet. They should instead ask themselves why, given the level of danger, the lack of appreciation and respect, not to mention the paltry income, any intelligent person would, in today's world, chose to teach?
— Rebecca Hanson, Milwaukee, Wis.

As a freshman at a suburban Milwaukee school, I always felt extremely safe at school. We do not have metal detectors or other extreme means of security, but there are cameras that monitor the majority of the school. When we heard about the shooting of the principal in our state I think it brought it home for us. We had talks about what to do if something of that sort happened at our school, but most of us laughed it off or wondered why in the world anyone would want to do that sort of thing at our school. It scares me to think that it could happen to us.
— Emily, Delafield, Wis.

I am a student and I personally do not feel safe in school. I think the shooting in Bailey, Colo. inspired serial killers all over the U.S., and that triggered gunmen to take hostages in the school nearest them. Who knows, maybe my area could be the next target. Maybe police should tighten security in schools. Amish, urban, rural or suburban, I don't think it matters to gunmen.
— Anonymous

I am a parent of three children and it scares me to death! I drop them off everyday like normal, just as the parents of the children that are now dead or injured did. None of us are immune to these types of tragedies, it can happen at a restaurant, a ball game, anywhere. I don't think the media hype helps anything either. It gives the next sicko ideas of how they can copycat or outdo a horrific crime. It angers me that anyone, especially someone who has children of their own, could carry out such a heinous crime against innocent children. Is it possible to feel SAFE in America anymore?
— Melisa, Calif.

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