By Robert Jordan
Founder, Protecting Our Students
School Safety Requires Prevention, Not Militarization
Recently, we received a thoughtful comment from a reader who shared her perspective on an article we published about the limitations of “TSA-style” school security measures.
She wrote that, having grown up in the Middle East, she has seen firsthand how rigorous airport-style security — including the use of soldiers, X-ray machines, and full bag inspections — has successfully protected civilians from violence. She suggested that American schools could adopt a similar model by assigning U.S. soldiers to man security checkpoints, scan for weapons, and even confiscate cell phones to minimize classroom distractions. Her view reflects a deep concern for student safety and a belief that structured, military-grade vigilance might prevent tragedy.
We want to first thank her for taking the time to share her thoughts and for caring deeply about the safety of students. This is precisely the kind of public dialogue our organization hopes to encourage. While we understand and respect her experience, our research and assessments point to a different conclusion about what most effectively protects students and educators in U.S. schools.
The Limits of Militarized Security
The presence of soldiers, armed guards, or airport-style checkpoints can create an atmosphere of fear and surveillance rather than safety and trust. Studies and real-world examples show that over-securitizing schools often leads to unintended harm — particularly to students’ sense of belonging and mental well-being. Heavy security infrastructure may deter a few specific threats, but it does not prevent the root causes of school violence such as social isolation, untreated trauma, bullying, and access to weapons.
While visible security may appear reassuring, the data does not support militarization as an effective long-term prevention strategy. Instead, it can undermine the culture of openness and connectedness that research consistently shows to be essential for identifying and intervening in potential threats before they escalate.
What Works: Prevention, Connection, and Community
At Protecting Our Students and through our SITE|SAFETYNET℠ platform, we focus on an evidence-based, prevention-first approach. That means helping schools measure, score, and improve their safety readiness across 94 distinct “Safety Zones,” including mental health support, bullying prevention, communication systems, community engagement, and threat reporting.
Our mission is not to militarize school campuses, but to empower educators, parents, and students with real-time insights and actionable safety data. We believe safety begins with relationships — when students feel seen, heard, and supported, they are far less likely to become isolated or violent.
Prevention-based safety systems also encourage schools to collaborate with local law enforcement and emergency responders in ways that build trust, not fear. The goal is a culture of shared responsibility, where every person on campus feels confident and prepared.
Continuing the Conversation
We are grateful to everyone who shares their ideas — even when we differ. School safety is not a partisan issue, and there is no single solution. It requires continuous reassessment, evidence-driven decisions, and a willingness to learn from both global examples and local realities.
Protecting students will always be our shared priority. By focusing on prevention, connection, and community-driven preparedness, we can create schools that are not only secure — but genuinely safe.
Robert Jordan
Founder, Protecting Our Students
https://www.protectingourstudents.org