Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp says "all options ought to be on the table" when it comes to school security in Hamilton County.
Mayor Wamp made the comments one day after an active shooter shot her way into a private Christian school in Nashville, killing 3 adults and 3 children before police shot her to death. The mayor said the event called for a 'moment of reflection.'
Metro Nashville Police released photos showing the damage to a window and front door of the Covenant Christian School. Police say Audrey Hale had two rifles and a handgun when she shot out the glass in the front doors, and later shot through the glass of a window at arriving officers. Two Nashville officers later shot her dead.
A tragedy Hamilton County Mayor West Wamp fears could hit close to home.
"It's the worst nightmare for young parents," says Wamp.
Mayor Wamp's comments about all options being on the table came when we asked him about the possibility of adding bulletproof glass to schools.
While asserting 'we do [school security] right,' Mayor Wamp said 'We won't spare any expense to continue to ensure our children are safe. I've got great confidence in the measures we're taking in Hamilton county, but we have to continue to be on guard.'
Wamp said he has friends whose children attend Covenant.
He says he hopes the shooting is 'certainly a wakeup call' for private schools in Hamilton County.
"Yesterday was a wake up call to all schools, particularly smaller ones that an insane person may strike," says Wamp.
We asked what plans Hamilton County emergency management officials have for threats to private schools.
Wamp replied, "From an emergency management standpoint, we're aware of the facilities and even the architectural structures of all places of education, not just public schools."
While Mayor Wamp said people should avoid being political in the aftermath of such tragedies, he did say there is 'near-universal agreement politically' for universal background checks for those who want to buy firearms.
Watch our interview with Mayor Wamp Tuesday morning below:
Governor Lee signed an executive order last summer trying to prevent tragedies like this.
The governor's order required the Department of Commerce and Homeland Security to review the use of armed security guards at non-public schools and make a report on the need for active shooter training for armed guards.
"The biggest problem with non-public schools is funding," says Curtis Greene.
Curtis Greene with Global Protective Services says his company works security at 5 private Hamilton County schools.
When it comes to funding for security guards...
"All the way around to offer for non public schools as well as the public schools," says Greene.
And better safety infrastructure at non-public schools is needed.
"The entry points. Those are the main soft targets when going into the schools. Also the parking area, any open area," says Greene.
To prevent these tragedies from coming to a school close to home.
"It's certainly a wake up call for private schools," says Greene.
We also reached out to Hamilton County Schools' spokesman Steve Doremus on Tuesday, and asked him if the district is considering changing any security procedures in the wake of Monday's tragedy.
Doremus replied via email,
Hamilton County Schools utilizes multiple levels of security for its schools, and we are constantly reviewing the methods and measures we have in place. Based on those reviews, improvements and upgrades are implemented when appropriate. Over the past several years, the Board has approved numerous improvements to school security across the district to improve the safety of our facilities. The district does not discuss specific security methods or measures.
Depend on us to keep you posted.