Dance says safety is a 'top priority' in Baltimore County schools

TOWSON, Md. - Baltimore County Public Schools has launched an effort to open discussion about safety and security. The push comes on the heels of two gun incidents at Baltimore County Schools.

Superintendent Dr. Dallas Dance says he wants to improve safety and security. In a YouTube video posted on the district's website, he said it is his top priority.

Dance said that in order for schools in the district to be safer, three things must take place:

1) Handguns should be kept locked up and out of the hands of children.

2) Schools must provide a place where students feel they can share information.

3) Administrators must keep lines of communication open with the community.

"There is no place in our schools for violence," Dance said. "We will make sure that as a school system, we do everything possible to maintain safety."

Dance said a new office of safety and security in the district will help ensure schools have crisis plans in place and make sure they are "top priority."

PDF | View and print the 2011 plan

"As a community, we're going to get beyond the events that occurred over the last three weeks, but we're going to do it together working as team BCPS. Let's be there for our young people, because they need us now more than ever," Dance said.

The district also plans an updated reporting system for staff and students, including an anonymous tip line.

Message from Superintendent Dance on the safety and security plan