HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania State Police have released its comprehensive School Safety Report for public/private schools, which outlines safety guidelines that can assist school districts in creating a culture where our schools and children are safe.
“A key mission of the Pennsylvania State Police is to identify and reduce vulnerabilities of the commonwealth to terrorist attacks and to minimize damage should such an attack occur – we accomplish this task through various means, including the service of Risk and Vulnerability Assessments,” said State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan.
This School Safety Report for public/private schools is available to view on the Pennsylvania State Police Web page atwww.psp.state.pa.us by clicking on the left navigation Public Safety tab. The report addresses roles and responsibilities, school security forces, access controls, lockdown and evacuation procedures, and family reunification, media and communications.
“The devastating events that took place at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, stand as a continual reminder of our need for vigilance in protecting our commonwealth’s critical infrastructure and key resources,” said Noonan.
The Pennsylvania State Police Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Team provides in-depth vulnerability assessments to improve the security posture of any facility within the commonwealth. The team is comprised of troopers specifically trained on assessment procedures related to physical security, explosive effects on structural design, threat analysis and practical target hardening techniques.
Since 2004, the team has performed over 393 assessments for small and large businesses, commercial facilities, event stadiums, shopping malls, activity parks, schools, colleges, hotels, hospitals, places of worship and special events.
In 2008, the Pennsylvania State Police published the College Campus Report. This report was prepared to provide college and university officials with general observations and recommendations to enhance the overall security posture of their campuses and improve responses to emergency situations.
For additional information regarding the School Safety Report or to schedule a risk and vulnerability assessment please email thePennsylvania State Police, Domestic Security Division, at ra-pspoffdomesticsecurity@state.pa.us or contact Sgt. Carl J. Veach at 717-346-2698.