In 2022, the U.S. recorded over 600 mass shootings—including 46 on school grounds—with May's Robb Elementary School attack in Uvalde, Texas, marking the deadliest school shooting since 1999. The tragedy, which claimed 21 lives, has reignited scrutiny of law enforcement preparedness amid rising gun violence.
Brian Higgins, former chief of Bergen County Police and a SWAT veteran, told CGTN Global Stringer that systemic flaws in police training contributed to delayed responses during critical incidents. \"We must prioritize phased, intentional skill-building for crisis scenarios rather than rushing through protocols,\" he emphasized, advocating for scenario-based drills and mental health integration in emergency planning.
Young activists and policymakers globally are calling for data-driven reforms, blending tech innovations like AI threat detection with community-led safety initiatives. Meanwhile, U.S. schools continue grappling with active-shooter drills as students increasingly voice demands for systemic change.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
