The school violence epidemic that faces this nation continues to dominate headlines as is evident with the most recent school shooting in Michigan. Opening with an intense scene of an active shooter drill in a Texas middle school, Bulletproof examines this issue of school violence from the perspective of the strategies employed by schools to prevent the next violent attack. This includes an often-overlooked area of the security industry that has grown around preventing school violence and the technology now employed by school districts.
The film highlights archival footage of metal detectors being installed in schools, and districts now have access to high-tech surveillance to identify where students and staff are in the buildings while an incident occurs. In addition to the new security methods being employed, this film examines the range of solutions offered by some school districts of arming school security guards and even arming teachers. While many discussions around this debate focus on gun violence in school, the film does make the point through a scene documenting a school board discussion that this is not just a gun issue as mass violent events can and do include other weapons with the same severity.
Focusing on the school violence prevention methods currently being employed across the country, this film adds an interesting perspective to the overall discussion of this topic. While the film will generate discussion on how best to address the issue of school violence through preventative methods, the range of options and political divide that exists ensures the debate will continue.
This film will support a range of disciplines that examine this topic including education, criminal justice, political science, and psychology, and will also appeal to a wider general audience of parents and students concerned about violence in schools. Due to the subject matter and some intense scenes, any public or classroom viewing should include a discussion to prepare the audience. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P.