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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — John Akers has spent 26 years protecting and serving the community in law enforcement and working as a school resource officer.
But over the years, he says his conversations have changed with the students he works to keep safe. He is often asked a question over and over: “Will you protect me?”
Asked if it’s devastating for him, Akers said, “Yes. It takes some time where you might have to go into your office and kind of take a breath and collect yourself.”
School districts across Indiana have increased their security levels since the mass shooting at Columbine High School in 1999. Still, Akers feels the desperate need from his community and others around the country to find the ultimate answer to end all school mass shootings.
“The answer to the question of ‘Why can’t you fix it?’ is because it is constantly changing. That’s why as law enforcement officers we always train and always prepare for what’s next.”
In Wayne Township Schools, this preparation includes both increased technology and mental health counseling for students. Superintendent Jeff Butts showed the I-Team the upgraded sensors to go door-to-door. “A person doesn’t need a key anymore, they can just click the sensor and unlock the door. One of the things people often talk about is having to fumble for a key to unlock the door if there’s a situation. “
Butts says his district was awarded a $100,000 grant from the state for school safety resources. But while he says he believes in cameras, sensors, school resource officers and similar security measures, Butts says “hardening” schools is not the right answer.
“School hardening is not the best use of the resources we have and does not provide the greatest safety boost,” the inspector said. “The biggest increase in safety is improving things like mental health awareness, school climate, making sure you have anti-bullying resources, making sure students know how to report it and that they have an adult that they feel feel free to report to.”
He says that’s why Ben Davis University High School and places like it have what’s called the school day impact period. The period involves students participating in club-like activities with a teacher. The clubs include a wide range of activities, including crocheting, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, an LGBTQ group, a jazz and soul music group, and a photography group. He says that students stay with the same teacher throughout their high school career, and the period is used to have the kind of conversations where students can seek support or even advice.
Butts said that “it’s a great opportunity to develop that relationship and be able to have those conversations. And to get into some of the social emotional discussions that we have to have to make sure that students are okay , that they know they have that person, if no one else, that they can go to and have those conversations when things happen. Whether it’s a student death from a car accident or some other situation, we have teams, and unfortunately we’ve gotten very good at mobilizing our teams to make sure we can provide that support in the buildings.”
But with the extra grant money, says Butts, there is always room for more resources.
“The human factor is the critical piece and probably one of the biggest challenges,” he said. “We’ve had to be very systematic and really have a long-term approach to how we’re going to address school safety. … There were things you didn’t see (when you walked into the building) and wouldn’t know to see.”
In downtown Indianapolis, the George and Veronica Phalen Leadership Academy also finds itself in a similar situation. Principal Javaris Carrion said people come to the academy and see “this is colorful and it’s like, ‘This is amazing.'”
From the hallways to the classrooms, the academy is an explosion of colorful sensation filled with artwork from students and teachers. Carrion says teachers are often encouraged to decorate their classrooms to inspire joy so that their children remember the fun over the fear.
The academy reevaluates its security once a quarter, and the principal said “we’re just always looking. It might not be a lot of changes every quarter, but there’s just a process of looking to make sure our buildings are safe.
Parents can come for a tour and are “able to look around and see that there is visibility in every classroom and every hallway,” Carrion said.
Still, regardless of district or position, all three men say they are burdened with the same concerns for their students.
“It tugs at your heartstrings,” Carrion said. “It’s a daily reminder to just keep pushing for what’s right.”
The three men have even asked themselves how they would react if it came to their lives or their students.
The Wayne Township Schools superintendent said, “I’ve thought as well as a building director and as a superintendent that if I was in that situation (with a mass shooting), obviously the incident would dictate that whoever is in charge, but it’s my responsibility to keep children safe, and if that means putting myself in harm’s way, I’m prepared to do that.”
Asked how people overcome the fear of what could happen, Akers said, “I don’t know. I don’t have a solid answer. for that. What I can say is that police officers who are passionate about the job, and choose this profession,” Akers said. “We run to the fear, we run into the fire, we run into the chaos. If that’s not what you’re ready to do, it’s going to be hard.”
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