PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles School District Superintendent Marc Jackson told those who attended a community forum on school and community safety that school officials are constantly listening to students and looking for red flags.
“We know that there are signs and there are pressures that all of our youngsters go through,” he said. “Behind the scenes we have teachers and counselors and professionals who spend an inordinate amount of time watching and making sure we are paying attention to anything that would be a red flag to us, that would allow us the opportunity to talk to our parents and our youngsters and to thwart any type of a threat.”
Jackson was one of several people on a panel at the community safety awareness forum Wednesday evening, which was sponsored by Challenging our Political Environment at the Port Angeles Library.
Others on the panel included Clallam County Undersheriff Ron Cameron, Peninsula Behavioral Health CEO Wendy Sisk, Port Angeles High School senior and activist Emily Menshew, Port Angeles Police Chief Brian Smith, social worker Ellen Fetchiet and Port Angeles Fire Chief Ken Dubuc.
“I think that what’s important for me as a superintendent is that this school district is really dialed in to not just talking with youngsters, but connecting with them,” Jackson told the several dozen people who attended the forum.
The forum was on the evening of the day that many students on the North Olympic Peninsula joined with others nationwide to walk out of classes in a show of solidarity that was part tribute to those who died in the Feb. 14 Parkland, Fla., shooting and part a protest calling for stricter gun control laws.
“I appreciate the fact that the kids today [at the National Student Walkout] turned around and thanked the administrators and thanked the adults for being there and paying attention to them,” Jackson said.
Menshew, a student who helped organize the walkout at PAHS on Wednesday, told those at the forum she has participated in lockdown and active shooter drills her entire life.
“The topic of gun violence is important to me since it has been addressed throughout my entire high school career,” she said.
“I was born a year after the Columbine High School tragedy, which happened to be the catalyst for school lockdown drills — and I have been a part of many of those — and now they are sometimes referred to as active shooter drills.”
She said she is concerned that because of the layout of the PAHS campus — which features several decades-old buildings scattered across the area — that it would be difficult to secure the school.
She also highlighted the importance of having mental and emotional support for each student and community member.
Smith said that statistically Clallam County and Port Angeles are safe places to live, but underscored the importance of being prepared.
“Events that have happened far from here don’t change that,” he said. “They can influence some people’s behavior, but we still live in a very safe community.”
Smith said in Clallam County, the risk of violence from a stranger is relatively low. Most violent acts are committed by someone who the victim knows.
He said that though a school shooting is unlikely, it’s still good to prepare.
Smith and others on the panel spoke about how agencies work together to train for active shooters, including large-scale drills.
“Preparing yourself for something really bad doesn’t mean the world’s coming to an end, it means you’re preparing yourself for something that’s a possibility,” he said.
“It doesn’t mean our world is going dark because we’re here talking about this. It means we’re talking about the possibility of something.”
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
