A growing industry has emerged offering schools a wide range of products designed to deter or protect against school shootings. From surveillance drones to body armor and even bulletproof whiteboards, companies are marketing security solutions to educational institutions across the country. However, questions remain about the effectiveness of these products in actually preventing or mitigating school violence.
The market for school security products has expanded significantly in recent years as school shootings continue to make headlines. This expansion has created what some are calling the “school shooting industry” – companies specifically targeting educational institutions with products marketed as protective measures.
The Security Product Landscape
Companies are now offering schools an extensive catalog of security products. Among the items being marketed are surveillance drones that can monitor school grounds, body armor designed for students and staff, and bulletproof whiteboards that can double as shields during an active shooter situation.
These products represent just a fraction of what’s available in the marketplace. Other offerings include:
- Advanced door locking systems
- Bullet-resistant glass for windows and doors
- Emergency response software
- Weapon detection systems
- Panic buttons and alert systems
The industry has positioned these products as necessary investments for schools concerned about student and staff safety. Marketing materials often emphasize the potential life-saving benefits of these security measures.
Effectiveness Remains Unproven
Despite the proliferation of these products, there is limited evidence regarding their effectiveness in preventing or reducing casualties during school shooting incidents. Security experts point out that many of these products have not been tested in real-world scenarios.
“The question that needs to be asked is whether any of this stuff actually works,” notes one security consultant who studies school safety measures. “Schools are making significant investments without clear data on effectiveness.”
Critics argue that some companies may be capitalizing on fear rather than offering evidence-based solutions. The emotional impact of school shootings creates an environment where administrators feel pressure to take visible action, even if the effectiveness of that action is uncertain.
The Psychology Behind the Industry
The growth of the school shooting security industry is closely tied to the psychology of fear and the desire for control. When faced with the threat of school violence, administrators, parents, and communities naturally seek solutions that provide a sense of security.
This psychological response creates a market opportunity that companies have been quick to fill. By offering tangible products that promise protection, these businesses address the emotional need for action in the face of threats that feel unpredictable and overwhelming.
Security consultants note that this dynamic can sometimes lead to purchasing decisions based more on emotional comfort than on evidence of effectiveness. “There’s a strong desire to do something—anything—to protect students,” explains one school safety researcher. “This creates a ready market for products that promise security, regardless of their proven effectiveness.”
Financial Impact on Schools
The financial implications for schools are significant. With limited budgets, administrators must make difficult choices about allocating resources between security measures and educational needs.
Some districts have spent hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars on security upgrades. These expenditures come at a time when many public schools are facing budget constraints and even closures due to financial pressures.
Education advocates worry that funds directed toward unproven security products might be better spent on mental health services, smaller class sizes, or other measures that could improve school climate and potentially address underlying issues related to violence.
The challenge for school administrators lies in balancing the perceived need for visible security measures with evidence-based approaches to creating safer school environments.
As the industry continues to grow, experts call for more rigorous evaluation of security products and greater transparency from companies about the evidence supporting their effectiveness. Until then, schools will continue navigating a marketplace filled with options but few certainties about what actually works to prevent the next tragedy.
