School Safety Statistics [INFOGRAPHIC]

School Safety Statistics

Metal Detector Programs

Kids are 5.8% less likely to carry a weapon in school.
Kids are 7.5%  less likely to carry a weapon going to and from school.

To the statement, ‘‘Police/security officers should search students with metal detectors’’:

• 57% of girls answered ‘‘Yes’’
• 40% of boys answered ‘‘Yes’’
• 49% of the total group answered “Yes”

Administrator’s thoughts on the effectiveness of metal detectors:

• 32% felt that metal detectors were somewhat or very effective at reducing violent crime.
• 14% felt that they were somewhat or very effective at reducing drug crimes.
• 32% of administrators from districts which utilized metal detectors felt that it was effective for reducing or minimizing crime.

Over half (55%) of administrators felt that metal detectors were ‘‘somewhat’’ or ‘‘very’’ effective ‘‘overall’’.

Fear of Violence

Students between the ages of 12-18 are more likely to be victims of violence at school than they are at home:

• Violent victimization rate at school: 37 in 1000 (3.7%)
• Violent victimization rate at home: 15 in 1000 (1.5%)

Incidents of Crime

Public schools that recorded or reported incidents of crime, vandalism, and threats of injury in school:

• Between 85% and 89% recorded incidents of crime.
• Between 60% and 65% reported incidents of crime to the police.
• Between 46% and 49% recorded incidents of vandalism.
• 9% of school teachers reported being threatened with injury by a student from their school.

Data Sources

Journal of School Health
NCES