{"id":929,"date":"2019-05-15T14:53:56","date_gmt":"2019-05-15T14:53:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.besafe.net\/?p=929"},"modified":"2023-06-07T08:35:53","modified_gmt":"2023-06-07T08:35:53","slug":"threat-assessment-model-stopping-a-shooting-before-it-begins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.besafe.net\/news\/threat-assessment-model-stopping-a-shooting-before-it-begins\/","title":{"rendered":"Stopping a Shooting Before It Begins – The Threat Assessment Model"},"content":{"rendered":"

“<\/span><\/i>I know he\u2019s going to explode. I just want to get it off my chest in case something does happen and I do believe something’s going to happen.<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This call was made to the FBI on Jan 5, 2018. \u00a0It was the latest in a series of warnings over the course of several years. Tips about stockpiled weapons and disturbing social media posts, threats made to a nearby school, and other unsettling behavior.<\/span><\/p>\n

Red flags that were largely ignored or mishandled.<\/span><\/p>\n

A month later, Nikolas Cruz walked into Marjory Stone Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and killed 17 people.<\/span><\/p>\n

As more details began to emerge after the attack, the questions came, and the soul-searching began. How? How could this possibly have happened? What went wrong?<\/span><\/p>\n

And how can we make sure this doesn\u2019t happen again?<\/span><\/p>\n

As a result of the Parkland shooting, the <\/span>Federal Commission on School Safety <\/b>was launched. They acknowledged that each school was different, and must have their own security protocols<\/a> based on their circumstances. <\/span><\/p>\n

But the commission also stressed the importance of establishing what they call a <\/span>Threat Assessment Model<\/i><\/b>.<\/b><\/p>\n

The Threat Assessment Model teaches cooperation at the school level, but also with local and federal organizations and law enforcement. The model is detailed in reports by the <\/span>FBI, United States Secret Service, <\/b>and <\/span>Department of Homeland Security.<\/b><\/p>\n

By following this process, schools and communities can be more alert to signs and behaviors that may have otherwise gone unnoticed, and be <\/span>better prepared to act on them.<\/b><\/p>\n

Below, we\u2019ve outlined some key notes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Assemble a threat assessment team<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"threat<\/p>\n

The first step is to establish a <\/span>Threat Assessment Team<\/b> made up of school faculty. This should include a variety of members, such as teachers, guidance counselors, coaches, and school resource officers.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Team should meet regularly, and upon reports of concerning student behavior, will consider each situation, assess the threat level, and act accordingly. <\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on the threat level, approachable members of the team may be assigned to reach out and build a friendly connection with troubled students. Or, it may be that the situation is more urgent, and deeper intervention may be required.<\/span><\/p>\n

One tip offered in the report:<\/span> feel free to change the name<\/b>. \u201cThreat Assessment Team\u201d may sound a bit intense for kids or teens, so they may hesitate to cooperate. Some schools have opted for titles such as \u201cAssessment and Care Team\u201d instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Identifying concerning behavior<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"school<\/p>\n

Although people who commit mass shootings are not all cut from the same cloth, \u00a0there are often<\/span> common warning signs manifested in a number of ways<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Some of these are obvious, and require immediate intervention. Things like making threats or engaging in violence, bringing a weapon to school, bullying or harassing others. <\/span><\/p>\n

But there are other things to be on the lookout for. <\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>USSS <\/b>Operational Guide for Preventing Targeted School Violence<\/i><\/b> highlights some of these signs:<\/span><\/p>\n