Protecting Schools from Active Shooters

Americans face yet another tragedy this week as our nation’s number of attacks on school campuses this year hits 75. More than 50% of these shootings were on college campuses, where the future generations are seeking a better future. There are no words that can fix the loss and devastation these families and friends will feel for the rest of their lives. Students who experience and witness these grueling events play out can have mental issues and fear that can overtake them, which is why grief counseling is mandated at school campuses across the nation following tragic events.

However, what if the best solution is a more proactive, collective approach to minimizing, reducing, and eliminating tragic events? Don’t our students deserve the absolute highest level of safety while they are in the learning environment? Don’t our teachers deserve to teach and inspire without worrying about their classroom door swinging open and an active shooter walking in and opening fire? Even those not on campus at brown this week feel the ripple effects of this act of evil on innocent students during finals week.

Public and Private School Security Officers

Local law enforcement has an active role on school campuses nationwide, and whether armed or unarmed, these uniformed officers are a welcome sight for families, teachers, staff, and even students. However, one police officer may no longer be enough security to ensure our students’ safety. Hiring private security guards would be a conversation at every school board meeting and a line item in every school budget in 2026. Americans can no longer cross their fingers and hope their school isn’t a target. The unpredictability of people, their motives, and their mental health can’t be mitigated without the service of skilled campus security guards.

Our students, from preschool through high school, are vulnerable because they are focused on school and social activities and are often distracted. In addition to the mandatory active shooter training and lockdown efforts our schools require, only highly trained security guards can serve as a bridge for any gaps law enforcement is unable to fill and provide a more comprehensive security solution for young students. At Off Duty Officers, our security guards have military and law enforcement backgrounds, so they know when and how to act to ensure the highest level of safety for students and teachers.

Campus- and school-trained security guards notice things others don’t – they have the background and training to identify suspicious behavior and act immediately to prevent escalation, mitigate vulnerabilities, and minimize risks. If an active shooter gets onto campus, a trained security guard will act and take them down. No hesitation and no reason to put anyone on campus at risk. Detain the suspect and let the authorities ask the questions.

Armed College Campus Security Guards

The tragedy at Brown University is a solemn reminder that students in the throes of finals and getting ready to leave campus for the holidays are not thinking about an active shooter coming onto their campus and killing students. Instead of instilling fear in students, it is best to inform and train them to be aware. However, multiple armed security guards on campus can mitigate risks and keep students safe year-round. It is heartbreaking that we lost at least two students this week due to an active shooter who is still at large. As police investigate and seek to identify the responsible party, hiring private security guards immediately can help students transition and feel more comfortable on campus. Coming back in January is going to be a tough time for students, faculty, staff, and students' families. The only thing that can bring a sense of security to college campuses in 2026 will be the presence of uniformed officers skilled in campus and school safety.

At Off Duty officers, our school campus security officers are trained and ready to respond to active shooters and other threats against students and schools across our great nation, America. Don’t wait to contact us for a free quote and let our security coordinator help you find an affordable and comprehensive security solution for your student campus today!

You can call anytime at 844-982-2820 or click here to reach us.