Schools today face unprecedented challenges. In September 2024, several school districts in Texas, including those in McAllen, TX, received violent threats from students and outsiders just weeks after school began, with at least 20 schools reporting various incidents. 

At the beginning of September, state officials also reviewed Bill 3, the school safety law that was passed in 2023. Some of the requirements include training and infrastructure upgrades as well as armed officers or security guards on every campus. Unfortunately, it did not supply the funds to implement these laws. While another mandate provides $15,000 for each school directed toward security, it falls far short of the pay for a full-time armed officer.

There is no one solution to our current crisis. However, schools are taking steps to support a safer environment. One of those steps is integrating a security monitoring service.