Keep all gates into the campus locked while kids are in class. Have one public gate with a video intercom. A visitor buzzes, asks permission to enter and receives that only after an office worker sees and talks with the person.
That’s a relatively inexpensive system, which along with the cost of a few locks, could have prevented this type of attack. And the younger children can play without fear.
Patrick Fiel is public safety advisor for ADT Security Services and a former executive director of school security for Washington, D.C. Public School System. He also served 22 years in the Army Military Police Corps, where his responsibilities included day-to-day security operations at the West Point Military Academy. During his time with ADT, Fiel has conducted more than 100 television, radio, newspaper, and magazine interviews as a public and school safety expert.
- Children learn best on paper: We need better technology, not less of it - July 13, 2026
- In districts, reaching readiness, retention, and success - March 5, 2026
- AI use is on the rise, but is guidance keeping pace? - January 2, 2026