Schools on "Lockdown" in Broward. Why? (Updated)

• Brandon- I have to disagree with your characterization of 'lockdown' as "...turning moving targets into immobile ones". Admittedly, I am not a law enforcement professional or an educator. But having spent time in the military, I am familiar with some basic security procedures. Two of the most critical procedures that a 'lockdown' can ensure are access control and accountability (a.k.a. headcount). Given the non-specific nature of the threat received by PPPD, the best thing the schools can do is to ensure that everyone who SHOULD be on school grounds IS on school grounds, and NO ONE ELSE. 'Lockdowns' accomplish this goal in short order and allow officials to then concentrate on further threat mitigation/investigation efforts. These emergency procedures, coupled with existing school policies requiring visitors to provide identification and photographing can help to reduce threats by outsiders. What's more, by sequestering students, you substantially decrease 'random shooting' victims by forcing a would-be attacker to go locked room - to - locked room in search of targets, thereby giving police greater time to locate and neutralize the threat. I hate what the world has become and mourn the days (not so long ago) when schools were assumed safe. But at the very least, these threat responses give us parents a great deal more reassurance that our children are being protected.

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