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Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District beefs up on safety after San Bernardino shooting

Students were evacuated after the shooting at North Park Elementary School to be reunited with their waiting parents in San Bernardino, California, U.S. April 10, 2017. Photo by Mario Anzuoni for Reuters.
Students were evacuated after the shooting at North Park Elementary School to be reunited with their waiting parents in San Bernardino, California, U.S. April 10, 2017. Photo by Mario Anzuoni for Reuters.

SANTA MONICA, CA – The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is taking more security precautions to ensure the safety of their students after the San Bernardino school shooting earlier last week.

As students prepare to return to class after spring break, Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati sent out an email assuring parents that staff and faculty are doing everything they can to prevent firearm-related incidents on campus. The school district is working closely with the Santa Monica Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to provide more patrolling to all schools in addition to the already present campus security.

The City of Santa Monica and City of Malibu are also to be notified in case of emergency. They will offer supplementary support to all schools in need.

To ensure that staff and faculty are well-informed of what to do in high-alert situations, active shooter training was required in this school year. Drills are also conducted on a regular basis to keep everyone up-to-date on safety procedures. An annual safety plan is now required to be submitted by all schools, and a visitor management system entails all visitors to carry a visitor badge.

The San Bernardino shooting occurred last Monday at North Park Elementary School. The gunman shot and killed his estranged wife, a teacher, and a student. One other student was injured before the gunman eventually turned the gun on himself.

North Park is increasing their security measures and creating more strict visitor regulations in response to this horrifying incident.

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