Threat assessment training held in Appleton to help prevent violence at schools. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Fox Valley community is highlighting the importance of preventing deadly incidents like school shootings.
Behavioral and Threat Assessment Management training was held at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton Wednesday.
The training was for law enforcement and school workers to better understand how to identify a potential threat before an act of violence is carried out.
“When somebody poses a threat, when they’re researching and planning, when they’re looking up previous acts of school violence,” said Trish Kilpin, director of the Wisconsin DOJ’s Office of School Safety.
The training comes days before the 25th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting.
“I think a lot of people thought it was going to be a one-off event, and sadly that hasn’t been the case,” said Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul.
Hundreds of school shootings have taken lives across the nation — like Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut; Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida; and at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas — just to name a few.
The Neenah Joint School District knows all too well the importance of preventing violence before it happens. In Feb. 2023, a gun and ammunition were found inside a student’s backpack at Neenah High School. The district understands building relationships with students is key.
“Not only for those kids who are in trouble that might commit these types of acts, but for all of our kids so that they know that if they hear something, they can talk to someone about it,” said NJSD Mental Health Coordinator Dr. Mike Alketruse.
This training expands beyond safety in schools. Leaders say it also aims to stem other targeted acts from happening, such as the deadly 2021 shooting at the Oneida Casino in Ashwaubenon.
“Any time you can provide training to people and give them the tools so that they feel comfortable reporting, and they know what kinds of things to be looking for that they can report early,” said Appleton Police Chief Polly Olson.
Everyone in the community is urged to Speak Up and Speak Out to keep violence from happening in the first place.
Click here to learn more about the Foundations of Targeted Prevention.
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