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Public Safety

San Diego Leaders Condemn Texas School Shooting

A photo of the scene at Santa Fe High School near Houston, Texas after a shooting is shown in this image, which was tweeted out by the Harris County Sheriff Department, May 18, 2018.
@HCSOTexas / Twitter
A photo of the scene at Santa Fe High School near Houston, Texas after a shooting is shown in this image, which was tweeted out by the Harris County Sheriff Department, May 18, 2018.

San Diego leaders are reacting to a school shooting in Texas, where a 17-year-old boy carrying a shotgun and a revolver opened fire at a Houston-area high school Friday, killing 10 people and injuring 10 more.

RELATED: Police Identify Texas High School Shooting Suspect

San Diego's Chief of Police David Nisleit tweeted a statement Friday afternoon asking San Diegans to remain alert and report "any information on threats of violence that could affect schools" in the area.

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The San Diego County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Gothold also released a statement saying, "school personnel will be reviewing (safety) plans and continuing to implement best practices in maintaining the safety and security of our schools."

While we know schools remain among the safest places for students, we also know that today’s shooting in Santa Fe, Texas may cause heightened concern about safety issues.

You can't educate students without them being safe; it's a responsibility San Diego County school leaders and employees take very seriously. Every San Diego County school has a safety plan and procedures that contribute to maintaining a safe learning environment for our students. In the wake of this incident, school personnel will be reviewing those plans and continuing to implement best practices in maintaining the safety and security of our schools.

San Diego County school districts work closely with law enforcement agencies to build systems that aim to prevent violent episodes in local schools. Last month's Safety Summit, co-sponsored by the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) and the District Attorney's Office, is just one example of our ongoing collaboration and multi-agency approach.

The SDCOE team stands ready to continue our supports for local districts to ensure the safety of San Diego County students and staff.
Senate Leader Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, called threats of violence to school "unacceptable." She released the following statement:
Losing a child is a parent's worst nightmare. Today, in America, parents have to wonder if their children are safe at school. That's unacceptable. Our schools have become the targets of cruel individuals, often with unfettered access to weapons that have no place in society. We don't yet have all of the facts about this horrific event. But no matter the exact circumstances, we can say, unequivocally, that enough is enough. We cannot stand idle as our kids are gunned down at school - their home away from home. This is a national epidemic that Congress must confront, not with thoughts and prayers, but with action.

Rep. Susan Davis, D-San Diego, took to Twitter to call on House Speaker Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, "to bring to the floor a range of protections for our citizens."

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