After Rampage: School Safety Concepts Are Being Further Developed

At the start of the school year, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Education presented a package of measures to prevent future school shootings like the one in June in Graz. The core of the package is the further development of existing concepts, as Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) and Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) announced on Saturday.

In addition to the already mentioned focal points, security partnerships between the two ministries are to be established. Furthermore, a standardized threat management system will be implemented in schools. A central component of this is case conferences with the police, youth welfare services, and school psychology. Security concepts and emergency plans in schools will be reviewed and further developed with the involvement of the police.

Security Officers in Every Police Station

In every police station, specially trained security officers are available as the first point of contact for school administrations. For this purpose, the Federal Criminal Police Office has updated its brochure "Security in Public Buildings" - available at https://media.bmi.gv.at/s/ybFDfsrQNepw6Yn.

"Security in schools can only be further developed through close exchange between all parties involved and responsible. Through joint analyses, tailored concepts that are adapted to the respective location should be developed," explained Karner. Wiederkehr added: "After the devastating school shooting in Graz, it was necessary to refine the existing security concepts in schools, intensify prevention, and strengthen cooperation with the police so that the school is a safe space for everyone."

In the school shooting by a 21-year-old former student of BORG Dreierschützengasse, nine teenagers and a teacher were killed. The shooter committed suicide.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.