09/01/2023
Nationally recognized safety expert Black, who served as security advisor to U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, has developed a pragmatic, workable blueprint for preventing and responding to school shootings. The book's serious tone and somber beginning warns that there is a 100 percent chance of another school shooting. After a brief review of the Columbine, Sandy Hook, Parkland, and Uvalde tragedies, the book outlines strategies to head off future attacks by emphasizing the importance of collaboration among school boards and administrators, parents, teachers, students, and law enforcement officials. The author argues that a proactive and unified approach by stakeholders will result in having the necessary preparations and mechanisms in place to avoid attacks. The book also includes tips on how to modify ineffective school policies and identify risk factors that make schools vulnerable. It stresses the importance of supplying school security officers and staff with adequate equipment, training, and technology tools. The title also provides checklists, security assessments, and infrastructure suggestions. VERDICT A common-sense and realistic approach to solving one of the most heartbreaking, serious, and vexing issues in American society. This important book is filled with recommendations that would significantly reduce the risk of school shootings.—Rob Tench
