What do you think can be done to prevent tragedies at school from happening?

I think what happened, while certainly tragic in the extreme, is something that can't really be prevented without a huge loss of freedom. I'd love to say there's an easy answer, but I really don't think there is. I think it's a horrid expression of the culture in which we live. We glorify violence, marginalize the value of life, and then wonder why our young people have such a warped view of this world.

A little more common sense would do a lot I personally think, I hate the fact this makes me sound rather picking but if it's true regarding e-mails was sent before and he was known for being violent. (why didn't anyone do anything) I'd also vote for checks and general check ups regarding those who are known to be slightly erm, crazy? ~Joey

Like some have said, unfortunately there isn't much you CAN do without cavity searching every single individual who enters the property. Schools that are "Zero Tolerance Facilities" still have tolerance for lots of things. Security Cameras, lots of personelle, metal detectors, ID checks. Uniforms. That's all you can do.. and even those aren't as affective.

I don't think there is much you can do, unless you want to turn schools into prisons. There are too many variables to consider and too many possible outcomes. How do you control people? Certain safeguards can help make a place safer. But on a campus, anyone can walk on and create havoc. There will always be indivduals intent on destroying themselves and others. They are in the vast minority, by far. The costs of changing schools to provide enough security to prevent a tradgedy would casue an escalation in the cost of education that would be outrageous. The higher costs would put 98% of the college age population unable to afford it. Perhaps, someone will come up with a system to ensure the safety of kids in these places.

This is a real good question and I think it should be taken very serious by more than just myLot readers. This is absolutely terrible and uncalled for. What would you think about security systems set up like at the airports, it's bad when we all have to be checked/serched but what the heck, we can't be loosing our kids either. This is a very serious problem and I'm thinking something should be done and done fairly fast.

I think one thing they can do is stop ignoring the signs of troubled people. What i understand,one of the teachers at va tech. suggested he get counseling but they wouldn't force. This isn't the first time we had schools and businesses ignore the signs of a trouble person

The way I see it is even if they take alot of precautions someone will always slips through the system and finds a way to hurt people like that. I think our world is just turning evil and everything will not change unless we all work together somehow.

Well its true, nobody can really prevent these kind of things from happening. People are going to continue to hurt innocent people probably because of problems they suffer themselves, nobody can completely control that. Something they can control is better security for schools to make sure nothing like that is brought onto campus.

To prevent tragedies, is to increase the security of the organizations. No one is allowed to pass without the stringent check of the security offers on duties. These security officers must be sincere in their responsibilities. It is no use in having security officers just to show their presence.

in the case of virginia tech, i think the state of virginia should tighten its law on weapon possession. if im not mistaken i heard it on CNN that virginia has the most lenient law on possesion of weapons. as for safety measures in schools, i think schools should have those scanning thingy that can be found at airports for detection of dangerous objects. its really sad to see how schools are becoming an unsafe place. first, the columbine shooting, now virginia tech.. i hope those depressed people out there wont take this as an example to follow. anyone who knows someone depressed or has a negative outlook of life should refer them to a psychologist for treatment.

Other then strip searching each person that goes in I dont think theres any sure way to make sure this wont happen again. Usually the way it works is like this when security gets better so does the criminals so its a never ending battle. All people can do is becareful and try to keep their eyes open to the signs that these crazy sick people show sometimes before they go off and start killing innocent people.