Community Reporting is a Prevention Pillar
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
Violence prevention does not start when a threat is identified. It begins long before that with awareness, connection, education, and a willingness to act when something doesn’t seem right.
While schools are often trained to screen and handle warning signs, disclosures, and concerning behavior, it is important to remember that these things can surface in any environment. Faith-based organizations, workplaces, community centers, and other places throughout the community have trusted adults that can play a critical role in helping prevent violence before it occurs.
For these community members to contribute to prevention efforts, they must be equipped with an understanding of warning signs, reporting pathways, and appropriate actions to take. When the community is equipped to recognize and respond to concerns, the success of prevention significantly increases.
Community education and understanding may help with:
Earlier identification of concerning behavior
Connecting individuals with support and resources
Stopping the escalation along the pathway to violence
Creating stronger reporting pathways and recognizable warning signs
The following case highlights the important role community members play in preventing violence in schools.
Disclosure to a Physician
A student shared with their physician that they were planning to carry out an attack inspired by the Columbine tragedy. The physician decided to report the disclosure to local law enforcement who began investigating immediately. Although it is common to see disclosures from patients to mental health professionals, it is important that all medical staff are trained to know what to do if concerning information is shared. In this case, the physician had been equipped with an established reporting pathway and been educated on the serious and complex nature of such a threat.
Authorities discovered that the student created blueprints, researched emergency response, and was developing a plan based on different scenarios. The student had progressed beyond just ideation and was in the planning and preparation phase. The physician was not a school employee, threat assessment professional, or law enforcement officer, but because they decided to initiate a report, law enforcement, campus safety teams, and federal partners were able to intervene before harm could be committed on the school campus.
Law enforcement took the proper steps not just to stop the plan from being enacted but to get the student the support they needed to move off the pathway to violence. They were admitted under an involuntary commitment order, firearm purchase prevention mechanisms were put into place, and they were monitored by multiple agencies.
Lessons Learned: It Takes Community Collaboration to Keep Schools Safe
This case highlights several important factors critical to well-rounded and effective prevention efforts. School safety and community safety go hand in hand, and it’s vital to remember that warning signs and behaviors can show up anywhere. All adults in a position to interact with students – doctors, librarians, coaches, and more – should be trained to understand warning signs and reporting pathways.
Just as importantly, communities must ensure those reporting pathways are visible, accessible, and trusted. When individuals know who to contact and believe their concerns will be taken seriously, they are far more likely to speak up before a situation escalates.
Early intervention is our most powerful tool in violence prevention, and community members are integral partners in this work. When people understand what to look for and feel confident in how to address concerns, the systems become stronger. Creating a culture of shared responsibility empowers everyone to play a role in prevention and helps connect individuals in need with support long before a crisis develops.
Contribute to the ASV Database
The Averted School Violence Database continues to be an impactful learning tool for teams across the nation. Housing hundreds of real averted cases, the database strengthens prevention efforts and creates safe schools.
By submitting your real case, you contribute to a growing national effort to strengthen prevention, community awareness, and support earlier intervention. Your real experiences can help other recognize the warning signs and take action before harm can occur.
Learn From School Safety Experts: Additional Training Opportunities
Take the next steps in strengthening your multidisciplinary teams. Our 1.5 day virtual PREPaRE Workshop 1 and Comprehensive School Safety Framework training is designed for teams to move beyond just training and into real-world application. Participants will learn foundational safety skills, crisis response, and apply the concepts in the context of their own communities.
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