KSP offers new safety video for schools, students

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Kentucky State Police has produced a new video aimed at helping children stay safe in schools.

State Police say ‘Be Prepared, not Scared’ is designed for pre-school through elementary-level students.

In a press release, KSP Commissioner Rick Sanders said the concept of the video is to prepare young children for potential school dangers without frightening them.

“We receive inquiries and invitations weekly to visit schools and talk to children about school safety, particularly active shooter incidents,” said Sanders. “The challenge is to educate these young people without placing undue fear in them.”

The video features several safety topics including active shooter, stranger danger and other safety drills that often occur in schools.

“While it is important to ensure that school administrators are trained in safety procedures, we can’t forget the significance of educating children in these areas,” added Sanders. “With more than 1,200 schools in Kentucky, it is a challenge to have troopers in all of them on a given day. This video provides a way that we can still impact school safety, even if we can’t be there in person.”

Sanders says the addition of this video complements the agency’s current Safe Schools Program that is available to any school system that requests it. The curriculum is designed to provide four levels of assistance to aid school officials in establishing or complimenting their current emergency management response plans. These levels include on-site visits, target hardening, lock down drills and hands-on role-playing scenarios that simulate an active shooter incident within a school setting.

Frankfort Christian Academy participated in the filming of the video.

The ‘Be Prepared, Not Scared’ video can be downloaded from the KSP website at http://kentuckystatepolice.org/safe-schools-program/ .