By Jesse Lama, Sr. Public Safety Consultant, Genasys Inc.
In today’s world, where media is constantly at our fingertips through smartphones, everyone, especially young people, are more exposed to news, including tragic events like mass school shootings. A study conducted by Pew Research Center shows that most U.S. teens aged 13-17 use social media (95% use YouTube, 67% use TikTok, 62% use Instagram, 59% use Snapchat). Social media amplifies exposure to these stories, magnifying their impact and contributing to an increase in copycat incidents.
Copycat Syndrome
Mass shooters often seek fame, and social media gives them a platform to gain attention quickly. After a mass shooting, news spreads rapidly through social media platforms, allowing potential copycats to become inspired by the notoriety of the attacker. The faster and wider this information circulates, the more likely it is to influence others, contributing to an increase in similar incidents. The National Center for Health Research found that this increase was most noticeable within a two-week window of a shooting.
Alarmingly, research indicates that the daily use of social media platforms is rising year over year. Just recently, after the tragic school shooting that had occurred in Apalachee High School, there have been a substantial number of hoaxes geared towards school violence, in addition to quite a few students arrested over a series of new threats made via social media. I have witnessed many of the departments I work with nationally respond to these incidents in addition to some even being local to me – in North Carolina.
In the aftermath of school shootings, security failures are often identified. These failures include unsecure egress points, outdated systems, lack of situational awareness, and inadequate communication—issues that are frequently highlighted in post-incident reviews.
Failure to Communicate
So, how can we enhance our preparedness and response to violence in schools?
The answer lies in adopting advanced technology. Despite the availability of effective solutions, many law enforcement agencies still face communication challenges within schools. Radio communications are often limited to dispatch, while School Resource Officers (SROs) might resort to texting or using apps not designed for real-time communication or compliance with public service record-keeping. Panic buttons, though useful, typically provide one-way alerts without detailed information on the emergency.
K.I.S.S.
Adopting new technology comes with its own set of difficulties. Many solutions lack user friendly design, which prevents people from using them and defeats their whole purpose. Public safety officials and first responders face high-stakes and complex situations, like responding to school shootings and other emergencies. Any technology aimed at enhancing their effectiveness must prioritize ease of use to truly support their critical work. In the words of lead engineer the late Kelly Johnson – Keep It Simple Stupid. A design principle that states that systems and design should be as simple as possible.
Genasys CONNECT offers a comprehensive communication solution through an intuitive interface. It enables two-way communication between SROs and school faculty, supports file sharing, and ensures all data is recorded and stored in compliance with record-keeping requirements.
CONNECT enables a proactive approach that helps prevent incidents rather than just reacting to them. Critical alerts can quickly capture your team’s attention. With access to critical resources, such as maps, policies, and phone trees, from any location, CONNECT helps eliminate delays, streamline planning, and prepare your team.
With all interactions timestamped and logged, CONNECT enhances the ability to document perimeter checks and other critical events. In a time when fast and reliable communication is crucial, CONNECT provides real-time, two-way communication that keeps law enforcement and school faculty informed and helps prevent potential threats.
Advanced communication tools are more critical than ever, especially when threats come from within the school district. By integrating smarter, faster communication tools like Genasys CONNECT, schools are better protected and safety is enhanced for teachers, staff, and students.
Stay tuned to Genasys blogs for more valuable insights, and explore the rest of our website to discover how we can help enhance your agency’s effectiveness.
