HOW CAN ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR BE CHANGED TO MAKE SCHOOLS SAFER?
First of all, it is important to establish clear, consistent discipline in the school environment. Greenbaum states, “High expectations, respect, trust and positive reinforcement of good behavior are found consistently in schools demonstrating good discipline….If, on the other hand, the atmosphere is one of hostility and insensitivity in which students are continually subjected to criticism and failure, serious disciplinary problems and criminal behaviors are likely to erupt.” Stover describes the principal’s role in setting the tone of a school, including encouraging cooperation among staff members, being personally visible, promoting student involvement, and seeing that students and staff with personal problems get help. Raising security consciousness is also important. Blauvelt suggests discussing security with both students and staff and involving the entire school community in identifying security problems and formulating plans to cope with them. Emergency drills can prepare bot
