DeWine urges schools to submit safety plans

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, at the 2012 Ohio Safe Schools Summit, called on all schools to meet the state law requirement that directs them to file a copy of both floor plans and safety plans with the Attorney General's Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).

"The great majority of Ohio schools have filed their plans with us, but for more than 150 school buildings we have not received anything," said Attorney General DeWine. "We hope that we will never experience school violence and we must do all we can to prevent it. Having these plans in place and ready to be accessed by local law enforcement is an important part of our efforts to protect children."

Since the tragic loss of life from shootings at Chardon High School, 1,030 buildings representing more than 109 districts became compliant or renewed their compliance with state law that requires each of Ohio's school facilities to file a copy of both floor plans and safety plans, updating them at least every three years or sooner, if changes occur. Of those buildings, 320 schools had never submitted materials.

Chardon High School was in compliance with the filing requirement.

Attorney General DeWine also urged schools to submit plans that are clear and effective. Some schools, despite having met the filing requirements, have submitted plans that are too brief or unnecessarily detailed to be very helpful to local authorities who must move quickly if an incident occurs.

School safety plans may be sent by e-mail to SchoolPlans@OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov. Hard copies of the plans may be mailed to the Attorney General's office at: School Digitization Project, The Ohio Attorney General's Office, 150 E. Gay St., 18th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215.