Panel: School Resource Officers are Primary Way to Combat School Shootings

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2018/03/Huff2.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:1920;s:6:"height";i:1222;s:4:"file";s:17:"2018/03/Huff2.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:13:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:17:"Huff2-336x214.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:214;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:17:"Huff2-771x491.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:491;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:17:"Huff2-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:17:"Huff2-768x489.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:489;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"1536x1536";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:18:"Huff2-1536x978.jpg";s:5:"width";i:1536;s:6:"height";i:978;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:15:"Huff2-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:17:"Huff2-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:17:"Huff2-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:17:"Huff2-489x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:489;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:17:"Huff2-416x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:416;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:17:"Huff2-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:17:"Huff2-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:17:"Huff2-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 0
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"sizes";a:10:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:45:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/03/Huff2.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:1661936;s:14:"optimized_size";i:535145;s:7:"percent";d:67.799999999999997;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:53:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/03/Huff2-140x140.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:8763;s:14:"optimized_size";i:8215;s:7:"percent";d:6.25;}s:6:"medium";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:53:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/03/Huff2-336x214.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:25333;s:14:"optimized_size";i:23902;s:7:"percent";d:5.6500000000000004;}s:5:"large";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:53:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/03/Huff2-771x491.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:111394;s:14:"optimized_size";i:105663;s:7:"percent";d:5.1399999999999997;}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:51:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/03/Huff2-80x80.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:3595;s:14:"optimized_size";i:3350;s:7:"percent";d:6.8200000000000003;}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:53:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/03/Huff2-600x338.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:63192;s:14:"optimized_size";i:59683;s:7:"percent";d:5.5499999999999998;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:53:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/03/Huff2-300x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:30890;s:14:"optimized_size";i:29105;s:7:"percent";d:5.7800000000000002;}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:53:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/03/Huff2-489x311.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:48526;s:14:"optimized_size";i:45710;s:7:"percent";d:5.7999999999999998;}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:53:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/03/Huff2-416x265.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:36862;s:14:"optimized_size";i:34760;s:7:"percent";d:5.7000000000000002;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:53:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2018/03/Huff2-125x125.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:7356;s:14:"optimized_size";i:6870;s:7:"percent";d:6.6100000000000003;}}s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:1997847;s:14:"optimized_size";i:852403;s:7:"percent";d:57.329999999999998;}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Sherrel Wheeler Stewart
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] =>  WBHM 90.3 FM
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_edit_lock] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1526406339:74
        )

)
1653013308 
1532517680

Fatal school shootings, including one four months ago at Birmingham’s Huffman High School, has put school safety at top of mind for educators. Tuesday at the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, a panel including superintendents, a teachers union official and others discussed how best to address active shooter situations.

There was little support among panelists for arming teachers or administrators. However, several spoke favorably of increasing the number of school resource officers or SROs. These are trained law enforcement officers tasked with keeping a school building safe. Hiring more SROs can be tough in poor, rural schools, which might also be farthest away from law enforcement.

Hoover Superintendent Kathy Murphy, formerly head of Monroe County Schools, said police would have had to travel 45 minutes to one school.

“I am troubled about those very isolated schools, such as the little school in Packard’s Bend, and what would they do?” she asked.

Earlier this year, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced a voluntary program to arm administrators at schools without SROs. Participating administrators would undergo training and be certified by the state. They would also keep the firearm in a locked safe.

The National Rifle Association often draws criticism when school shootings occur, but former NRA President Jim Porter said the group will consult with schools to develop security plans.

“These security programs are fashioned and tailored to the need of the requesting body whether it be a school or a school system,” Porter said.

Porter said there are NRA grants available to improve school safety. He said no schools in Alabama have applied.

 

Standing by in San Antonio: the luxury plane from Qatar intended to replace Air Force One

The luxury jet needs a security overhaul. That usually takes a few years, meaning it might not be ready until Trump is out of office. Shortcuts could create national security risks.

For the first time, the U.S. is absent from WHO’s annual assembly. What’s the impact?

In the wake of President Trump's decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization, the agency is holding its first major meeting. How will that affect WHO — and the United States?

Federal judge blocks Trump’s takeover of U.S. Institute of Peace

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled the USIP president and board members were unlawfully fired by President Trump and should be reinstated.

Pope Leo meets with Vance, who delivers an invitation to visit the White House

The meeting appeared part of an effort to reset relations with the Vatican after Pope Francis repeatedly criticized President Trump's migration policy. Vance also gave Pope Leo a Chicago Bears jersey.

Millions prepare for severe storms in the Midwest and South

Millions of people in central and eastern Oklahoma, as well as far northwest Arkansas, are in the path of numerous severe thunderstorms expected on Monday.

What we know about the Palm Springs fertility clinic bombing

Authorities say they believe their prime suspect in the bombing was also the sole fatality of the attack.

More Education Coverage