Northborough Police Department’s Juvenile Detective and School Resource Officer Stephen Sullivan held an ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) protocol seminar on Jan. 23 to inform students about how to act and stay safe when faced with a threat during school.
School safety is always a top priority regardless of location, and tragic shootings have become increasingly common across the United States. Being the country with the most school shootings in the world with over 500 shootings and counting, ALICE drills have taught many students around America about ways to protect themselves.
“ALICE can be used in any sort of situation, not just school,” Sullivan said.
For people who are familiar with ALICE, many understand that one should lockdown if you are inside a classroom, barricade the main door and extra doors if there are any, try and find an exit, remember to keep yourself and others around you safe and to use clear and plain language so people around you can understand the situation.
“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing and the worst thing you can do is nothing,” Sullivan said. “If you do something and mess up at least you did something, but the worst thing we can do is nothing.”
However, ALICE does not need to be done in order; ALICE is more of a guideline to help give you tips on how to act, depending on the situation.
“An intruder’s best weapon is time and access,” Sullivan said. “The best way we can try and counter is to make sure the doors are locked, that we report quickly and respond for police to get there sooner.”
According to Sullivan, time is valuable in these situations and being vigilant is key.
“Just don’t second guess yourself,” Sullivan said. “If you see something, say something because sometimes things get overlooked. If it’s something you believe is important, remember to say something.”
Near the end of the seminar, Principal Sean Bevan stood up to give his own comments and thoughts about gun violence and the safety of ARHS and schools in Massachusetts
“Gun violence happens in America more than we like, but it happens least in states where we have strong gun laws,” Bevan said. “Massachusetts has the strongest gun law in the whole country so you see fewer of these events in our state than in other states. That makes me feel better spending my days and hours in this building and with you.”
Both Bevan and Assistant Principal Andrew McGowan value Sullivan and the safety he brings to ARHS.
“I think Detective Sullivan is particularly skilled and enthusiastic and present and brings a lot of qualities that make him particularly well suited for that job,” Bevan said. “I’m very impressed by his ability to establish relationships with kids and to feel like he’s approachable and present in our school so it’s great to have him in this school.”
McGowan shares a similar sentiment and is glad Sullivan is protecting ARHS.
“Officer Sullivan absolutely keeps another layer of security when he’s here, and he’s got a great report from students and staff and really established himself very well here,” McGowan said.
