Homework Responses Wk 4

Hello Dr. Aguiar and Classmates,

            For this week’s forum, we were asked to discuss the project topic, thesis statement, and main points being researched. For my capstone project, I will be highlighting the active shooter incident at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The Parkland shooting occurred on February 14, 2018, where the perpetrator Nikolas Cruz killed 17 people. The Parkland shooting is considered one of the deadliest shootings in modern history, and research shows that many countermeasures could have prevented the incident. This research paper will use the Parkland incident as a baseline of what possible shortfalls occurs when preventive a school shooting. I choose this subject matter because school shootings have played a significant role in my life. I was in National Incident Management System (NIMS) School at the time of the Sandy Hook shooting. I was able to understand the response procedures of an active shooter and how subject matter experts determine the motives of the perpetrator. 

           The thesis statement that I will be using in the capstone project will be “Innumerable active shooter incidents will continue to occur in the United States unless law enforcement, educators, and security professionals develop countermeasures.” The purpose of the thesis statement is to narrow down the spectrum of research. I will be using the mixed research method of research while focusing on the four quantifiable categories consisting of school administrator’s responsibilities, law enforcement, and security professional integrated response, the significance of school architecture, and preliminary mental health detection. When it pertains to school administrators’ responsibilities, I will be utilizing research from Dr. Jeff Daniels and his published research titled The Counseling Psychologis. The publication states that trends found in active shooter incidents dating back to Columbine High School have remained consistent. For example, Dr. Daniels believes a root cause for an adolescent perpetrator is violent influences like social media or video games. Dr. Daniels concludes that when a child is exposed to a violent experience, they become desensitized to tragedy. With Dr. Daniel’s research, I will be able to validate my thesis by showing the need for school administrators to take action.

           An additional academic source is from author James Seebock and his publication named Responding to High-Rise Active Shooters. The information is structured to assist law enforcement officers and security professionals’ ineffective response to an active shooter. It is vital to show the advancements in emergency services response and compare what effective procedures are. This source balances the need for fast emergency response in order to reduce the loss of life in an active shooter. Mr. Seebock has contributed too many advancements in law enforcement response. For example, in 1999, law enforcement officers would treat an active shooter as a barricaded suspect, meaning that they would not make entry. Mr. Seebock’s research has shown that immediate entry and a “direct to threat” mindset has reduced the loss of life.

            The last main point focuses on the preventive measures taken when architecturally building a school.  The concept Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) is utilized in new construction throughout the world. When it pertains to schools, the preemptive placement of landscape can contribute to preventing an active shooter. Professor Todd Schneider describes in his book CPTED 101: Crime Prevention through Environmental Design--The Fundamentals for Schools the need for schools to place walkways, access roads, and common student areas in a restricted posture. This writing is imperative to justice the thesis because it is the first line of defense when it comes to preventives. Overall, these categories of research will show trends and provide insight on how to prevent a high school, active shooter.

-Bryan

Reference

Daniels, J. A., Volungis, A., Pshenishny, E., Gandhi, P., Winkler, A., Cramer, D. P., & Bradley,   M. C. (2010). A qualitative investigation of averted school shooting rampages. The          Counseling Psychologist, 38(1), 69-95.

Schneider, T. (2010). CPTED 101: Crime Prevention through Environmental Design--The             Fundamentals for Schools. National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities.

Seebock, J. (2018). Responding to High-Rise Active Shooters. Homeland Security Affairs.