VENUES OF MASS VIOLENCE
Mass violence is perpetrated in numerous venues. These include office buildings and other workplace settings, vehicles of mass transportation, shopping malls, public streets, concert arenas, cinemas, restaurants, college campuses and grade schools. All are vulnerable venues that lend themselves to such mayhem and can only be hardened (further protected) at the risk of restricting personal freedoms; installing expensive and intrusive security systems (e.g., metal detectors, surveillance cameras, barri- cades); or eliminating access to weapons to specific risk groups.
The question of security best practices is beyond the scope of our expertise and we believe ultimately is best addressed by identifying and alleviating the root causes of violence among perpetrators. (In the case of people with mental illness, this would entail providing effective, comprehensive treatment.) However, schools have been a particularly vulnerable and painful venue for violence because of their defenselessness, the youth of potential victims and the large numbers gathered in educational settings. Consequently, the remainder of this section will focus on schools.
Though schools are much safer than the public might believe, school shootings grab national headlines, leading to some ill-considered policy decisions that are addressed below. Creating safe and supportive environments and conducting threat assessment and management can help make schools even safer.
