Schools and States Grapple with Increasing Penalties for Mass Shooting Threats
Mass shooting threats are a grim reality that schools across the United States are forced to confront, disrupting learning environments, straining resources, and shattering the sense of safety that schools strive to maintain. In New Mexico, the issue has reached a critical point. Last month alone, schools in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Taos, Rio Rancho, Raton, and other towns faced threats of mass shootings.
In response, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has proposed legislation to elevate mass shooting threats from misdemeanors to fourth-degree felonies. The change, Torrez argues, would provide law enforcement with tools like search warrants and other investigative resources, potentially reducing the frequency and impact of these threats.
The Push for Tougher Consequences
Rio Rancho Police Chief Stewart Steele emphasized the current challenges posed by treating such threats as misdemeanors. “It causes chaos in the community, chaos within the schools, and chaos for our educators,” Steele said. “We need to do something, to put some teeth into this… Right now, I feel like it’s almost a catch and release. There are no consequences.”
The legislative proposal, expected to be sponsored by State Representative Joy Garratt, will be introduced in January’s legislative session. Garratt hopes to secure bipartisan support, recognizing the universal importance of school safety.
A Statewide and Nationwide Problem
While Albuquerque saw 28 school shooting threats in September alone, the problem extends far beyond urban centers. Rural and tribal communities face unique challenges, including slower emergency response times and limited resources. For these areas, each threat can cost tens of thousands of dollars, as school districts scramble to ensure safety.
Amy Suman, associate superintendent of the Pojoaque Valley School District, captured the emotional and financial toll: “Our children have a destroyed sense of safety. When your kids don’t feel safe, they can’t learn. It assassinates the soul of a community.”
The broader statistics paint a sobering picture. Despite being 46th in population density, New Mexico ranks fourth in gun violence nationwide. This disconnect underscores the urgency of addressing threats comprehensively.
Balancing Safety and Prevention
The proposed legislation in New Mexico highlights a debate playing out across the country: how to balance immediate safety concerns with prevention and rehabilitation. Proponents of tougher penalties argue that they serve as a deterrent and provide law enforcement with critical tools. Critics caution against measures that could disproportionately penalize juveniles or fail to address root causes like mental health issues and access to firearms.
Moreover, the psychological toll on students and families cannot be overstated. As Suman noted, when fear keeps students from attending school, the ripple effects touch every aspect of community life. Parents forced to choose between work and their child’s safety face impossible decisions, further deepening the social and economic impact.
A National Reckoning
New Mexico is not alone in wrestling with these issues. Across the United States, schools and lawmakers are grappling with similar challenges, seeking to strike a balance between punitive measures and holistic approaches that address the underlying causes of threats.
Ultimately, the goal is to restore a sense of safety to schools and provide students with an environment conducive to learning. As Attorney General Torrez aptly pointed out, mass shooting threats are not confined to any one city or region—they are a universal issue that demands coordinated action.
Moving Forward
The proposed legislation in New Mexico represents an important step, but it also highlights the complexity of the problem. Schools and states must continue to innovate and collaborate, ensuring that both immediate and long-term strategies are in place to address the multifaceted challenges of school threats.
Prowess Edge Consulting Group Can Help
Navigating these challenges requires careful planning, clear policies, and comprehensive training for both school and law enforcement personnel. Prowess Edge Consulting Group specializes in helping schools and police departments develop robust policies and procedures to address threats while fostering a safe and secure environment.
Our team of experienced educators and safety professionals can help develop customized training programs to prepare personnel for emergencies, ensure compliance with policies, and build a culture of proactive safety. Whether you need assistance in policy creation, personnel training, or evaluating existing procedures, Prowess Edge is here to support you.
Contact us today to learn how we can partner with your school or department to build a safer future for our students and communities.