Nassau County Police Holds Seminar On School Shootings
GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale told hundreds of educators at a seminar on Monday that school shootings can be prevented.
The seminar was held in the wake of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, which left 26 students and staff dead on December 14.
"You know, many experts say that we can't prevent these type of events. That's a bunch of bologna," he said. "Can... a store owner prevent the robbery of his store? Can you prevent your car from being stolen? Can you prevent from being hit by lightning? The answer is yes."
All schools and communities must have a plan of action and prevention, Dale said.
Nassau County Police Holds Seminar On School Shootings
"We must talk to one another. We must listen to students and listen to the social networks," he said. "A major tactical advantage that we have over lunatic criminals is one thing - communication."
Dale called assault weapon availability ridiculous, and Tracy Simon, a librarian in Floral Park, said she agreed.
"Nobody needs an assault weapon to go after a deer," she said.
The commissioner said assault weapons are needed in Afghanistan, not the U.S. of A.
The following video, produced before the Newtown massacre, was shown at the seminar. Note, it contains violent imagery.
What do you think should be done to prevent school shootings? Share your ideas in the comments section below.
