For Posting: The senseless tragedy at Columbine High School in Colorado should serve as a wake-up call for everyone involved in the protection of public institutions. Certainly no one could have accurately predicted the mindless act committed by two teenage students. There were, however, warning signs which might have served to prevent the carnage. They exhibited some, but not all of the indicators of troubled teens. Both were members of two-parent, upper middle class families. Both were associated with a group of misfits - the "trenchcoat mafia," but also socialized and participated in some school activities.
The two were close companions and spent hours playing computer war games with computer links between their homes. In a media class, they produced a video showing the two walking the halls of the school with weapons, killing athletes. On an Internet web site, a message attributed to one of the killers warned, "I live in Denver, and I would love to kill almost all of its residents. You all better hide in your houses because I'm coming for everyone and I will shoot to kill, and I will kill everything."
There were other signs, including their display of nazi swaztikas, use of German World War II phrases, and detonation of fireworks on property of people they disliked. A teacher reported their activities to law enforcement authorities some time ago, but had no evidence of actual criminal activity. Their only brush with the law involved a car break-in for which they completed a required community treatment program.
The entire state of Colorado is in mourning. The victims were chosen at random, with the possible exception of one black student athlete. Columbine high school was a trouble-free, suburban school with no known gang problems. A sheriff's deputy was stationed at the school and was present when the shooting started. It is believed he traded shots with one of the killers before retreating to assist in evacuation, calling for backup.
In a related incident, "gothic" students at another Colorado school set off fireworks in an attempt to celebrate the killings at Columbine. All were taken into custody before outraged students could get to them.
There are some common sense prevention measures we should consider. First and foremost is the effort to make administrators, staff, and visitors aware of our total intolerance for violent acts and the threat of violent acts. Reporting any such threats or suspicions must be facilitated in each institution, including anonymous reporting. Visitors, staff, and vendors should be aware of how to communicate suspicions or threats, and where to report them. EVERY such report needs to be investigated, and fully documented. The presence of weapons, explosive devices, fireworks, or any type of weapon must be prohibited from our public institutions.
I strongly encourage all of those in a position to enact these prevention measures to review the policies, procedures, and safeguards now in place, and to insist on consistent enforcement of reasonable restrictions. Say a prayer for the many victims of this senseless tragedy, and reassure your kids.
-Steve Layne, CPP
Cultural Property Protection Consultant