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Indiana congressman outlines school safety report

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Less than a week after an attempted school shooting inside a Richmond intermediate school, one of Indiana’s congressional leaders calls for more to be done secure our schools.

Outgoing Republican Congressman Todd Rokita, and David Williams sat down to discuss the report. Rokita released this report Tuesday. It’s the congressman’s own report on school safety.

Rokita said his school safety report underscores a need.

“After every situation, people came up to law enforcement and to teachers, and said ‘ you know what? I knew. Somebody knew.’ So, if we just paid more attention to our kids,” Rokita explained Tuesday.

Which is exactly what that 14-year-old’s own mother did. Police say the boy’s mother was the 911 caller who warned authorities before the teenager shot his way into the school

Those extra minutes meant the school could quickly lockdown.

Rokita explained a recommendation within his report as “…for an active shooter situation. We call it ALICE. Alert, lock down, Inform law enforcement, counter and evacuate.”

Last month, Rokita hosted his 3rd school safety summit with Indiana teachers, students, active shooter response experts, police and community leaders. 

Some of the suggestions to keep schools safe: People inside schools who keep an eye on children who are bullied, mistreated or act out. Keeping school resource officer in schools and training teachers were also part of the suggestions.  They also talked about arming teachers.

“If it’s important for example to arm a teacher, if the local community feels that’s appropriate, that should be their right,” Rokita explained.

Rokita’s plan is to give his report to Governor Eric Holcomb. We asked what he wants Indiana lawmakers to do with his school security report.

“I would say read it, study it, confirm what they know to be common sense and do not prescribe a one-size-fits all,” Rokita said.

To read the full report, click here