School security focus of Higgins’ proposals

Clay Higgins addressing supporters in Lake Charles after his win on Dec. 10. (Associated Press)

U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins recently submitted two bills to Congress that would change the landscape of school security for the country’s 95,230 public schools.

House Resolution 5242 calls for collecting data on current school resource officers nationwide, while House Resolution 5523 requests the Department of Justice to create a set of tactical “best practices” for school resource officers. The combined legislation would create a new classification, “Tactical School Resource Officer.”  

Training would include a blend of school resource officer and tactical law enforcement methods, something Higgins said is rare right now.

“We believe with best practices established we can marry the two,” he said.

Higgins, R-Port Barre, said he doesn’t want to “reinvent the wheel” of current training operations. Rather, he envisions working with current jurisdictions, and using existing authorities and training facilities to prepare the next generation of officers.

Collecting data and establishing national standards would allow the legislation to request federal funding for the new class of tactical school resource officers, Higgins said. The effort would cost approximately $10 billion annually, and would require help from federal departments, state legislation and private donors, he said.

Higgins said he “doesn’t believe that schools should resemble prisons.” Instead, he is playing “the long game” concerning school security, he said. 

The nation should take steps to protect its public schools similar to when government enacted new aviation regulations after the 9/11 attacks, Higgins said.

“There’s already a model for how this works,” he said. “Prior to 9/11, airports and airlines were softer targets. After 9/11, we changed. Things got hard.”  Law enforcement, along with state and local government leaders, have voiced support for the measures, Higgins said.

SportsPlus

Local News

Landry: Tax changes needed to fuel population growth, encourage families to stay

Crime

11/6: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

Reinvestment in Mid-City neighborhood begins

Local News

Avenue of Flags returns a day ahead

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls want to keep building

McNeese Sports

Cowboys looking to rebound…literally

Local News

APPJ fighting Coushatta land trust acquisitions

Local News

Donald Trump has sweeping plans for a second administration. Here’s what he’s proposed

McNeese Sports

Leak heats up Cowboy defense

Local News

Louisiana breaks multiple election records

Local News

Trump wins White House in political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column: Gerstner Field remembered

Local News

Trump wins Georgia, moving closer to reclaiming White House

Local News

Beauregard, Vernon voters favor Trump

Local News

GOP reclaims Senate majority

Local News

Republican Higgins wins re-election bid for US House

Local News

Bowers elected newest member of Calcasieu Police Jury

Local News

Early election takeaways: Trump weakens Democrats’ coalition

Local News

Vidrine elected to serve as Oakdale’s next mayor

Local News

Trump wins North Carolina while votes are still being counted in other key states

Local News

Voters statewide approve constitutional amendment

Local News

Judge Davis elected newest member of Court of Appeal

Local News

Jeff Davis elects two new mayors, re-elects police chief

Local News

Cameron voters approve four bond issues