North Carolina launches initiative to combat school threats

During a recent task force meeting, North Carolina officials discussed pressing issues surrounding school safety, particularly focusing on school threats and firearm safety. The meeting featured updates from various leaders, including Karen Fairlie, Executive Director of the Center for Safer Schools, and Emmett Williams, a statistician from the Department of Public Safety.

The meeting began with an overview of the NC SAFE initiative, aimed at promoting the secure storage of firearms. This initiative has received federal funding to extend its reach into school systems, targeting parents to prevent unauthorized access to firearms by children. Last year, North Carolina reported 86 incidents of firearms found on school campuses, highlighting the urgency of this campaign.

Emmett Williams presented data on school threats, revealing that 62% of reported threats were related to communicating threats, with 31% involving threats of mass violence. He noted a significant rebound in school threat incidents following the COVID-19 pandemic, although recent trends indicate a return to pre-pandemic levels. The data showed that school threats are seasonal, with fewer incidents reported during summer months and spikes occurring towards the end of each semester.

Karen Fairlie provided insights into the Center for Safer Schools' initiatives, including the establishment of threat assessment teams in compliance with recent legislation. She emphasized the importance of collaboration with local law enforcement and the development of comprehensive school risk management plans. Fairlie also highlighted ongoing training programs for school resource officers (SROs) to better engage with students on issues related to gun safety and mental health.

The meeting underscored the state's commitment to enhancing school safety through data-driven approaches and community engagement, with a focus on preventing violence and ensuring a secure learning environment for students. As the task force continues its work, officials expressed optimism about the progress being made in addressing these critical issues.