COLUMBUS – The state has unveiled its new strong>Ohio School Safety Center as a panel that will advise that office begins its work.
The 42-member working group, a division of Ohio Homeland Security, was created as part of a 17-point safety plan Gov. Mike DeWine introduced in August in the wake of a mass shooting in Dayton.
Ohio has experienced several incidents of violence in schools over the past seven years, including shootings at Chardon High School in 2012, Madison Junior/Senior High School in 2016, and West Liberty-Salem High School in 2017.
The will focus on assisting local schools and law enforcement in preventing, preparing for, and responding to threats and acts of violence.
The panel, led by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, will evaluate current issues regarding school safety and advise the center.
Members of the working group include school and law enforcement officials and mental health and children’s advocates.
As proposed in August, the center will promote and expand use of the SaferOH Tip Line to encourage more anonymous reports of safety concerns and threats, monitor social media and websites for threats to schools, review emergency management plans and consolidate school safety resources.