Governor’s Column - April 20, 2007
by Governor Matt Blunt
Protecting Missouri Students, Enhancing Campus Security
I want to extend my thoughts and prayers to all those who lost a loved one in the senseless tragedy at Virginia Tech. This week's horrific events underscore the importance of the need for continued focus on school safety and homeland security.
This week we were shocked as this killer maliciously took the lives of his fellow students. As I watched the tragic events unfold I could not help but empathize with the Virginia Tech community and think about what we can do to improve the safety for our students and enhance campus security in Missouri.
In response to shooting incidents in 2006 right here in Missouri, we began working to take steps to assure all Missourians that their children are safe in our schools. My administration has dedicated more than $10 million to improve communications for first responders and to aid in response to tragic school shootings. Also at my direction Missouri has dedicated funding to purchase Internet-based tools and technology that will help education facilities prepare for an emergency. As the result of this investment, schools will have access to the Emergency Response Information Program. This tool enables our education officials to map out their campuses and provide their local law enforcement officials with the information they need to respond during a crisis.
This week I created the Campus Security Task Force to evaluate our own campus emergency response plans and to improve communications between our higher education and public safety communities. The task force will be co-chaired by Director of Public Safety Mark James and Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Robert Stein. Other task force members will include 2 and 4 year public and private higher education leaders, law enforcement, public safety associations, and student representatives among others.
This task force will be charged with enhancing our ongoing efforts to make every campus in Missouri a safe place where parents know that their children's lives are valued. The group will focus on initiatives to improve safety standards and heighten security within buildings and facilities on campus. It will also provide my administration with a comprehensive report detailing its findings concerning the security of our campuses.
I ask Missourians to join me in praying for those who lost a family member or friend in this terrible act at Virginia Tech. This event serves as a reminder that we must remain vigilant and proactive when it comes to protecting students and enhancing campus security.