Florida is ‘blueprint’ for school safety after Parkland shooting: victim’s father

Florida has been at the forefront of implementing proactive measures to prevent mass shootings since the tragic Parkland high school shooting in 2018. Elected leaders in the state have pledged to make Florida a “blueprint” for school safety, and their efforts were showcased at the inaugural Florida National Summit on School Safety.

At the summit, law enforcement and school officials from 20 different states came together to share best practices in school safety. Ryan Petty, who tragically lost his 14-year-old daughter Alaina in the Parkland shooting, spoke with Fox News Digital about Florida’s progress in preventing mass shootings and how other states can learn from their initiatives.

“We’ve had school safety bills every year since the Parkland tragedy,” Petty said. “We’re doing a lot of things right here in Florida, and we wanted to share that blueprint with the rest of the country. So we invited states from across the nation to come, and we’re all learning from each other. And hopefully, as a group, help each other solve this problem.”

Alaina Petty was one of the 17 individuals killed in the Parkland shooting, and her father continues to advocate for school safety in her memory. He emphasized the importance of learning from past tragedies and implementing proactive measures to protect students.

Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Díaz Jr. highlighted the importance of identifying warning signs, or “leakage,” preceding a mass shooting. He emphasized the need for preemptive measures and threat management to prevent crises in schools.

Díaz also mentioned that Florida has “hardened” its schools by implementing single entry points, updating technology, and training police or additional guardians to prevent on-campus shootings. The state has taken proactive steps to ensure the safety of students and prevent future tragedies.

Utah has taken note of Florida’s efforts and has paralleled their legislation to prevent school violence. Matt Pennington, the Utah State Security Chief, spoke about the importance of learning from the experiences of Parkland parents and victims to drive home the importance of school safety.

It is crucial for states across the country to learn from Florida’s initiatives and work together to prevent mass shootings in schools. By implementing proactive measures, identifying warning signs, and taking preemptive action, we can create a safer environment for students and prevent future tragedies.