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William Cousins Interviewed About Oxford High School Shooting

Oxford High School Shooting-WXYZ-William Cousins

Our founder, William J. Cousins, was interviewed about school security after the Oxford High School shooting (in Oxford, Michigan):

OXFORD, MI – WXYZ Detroit – December 1, 2021 – Kim Russell

Could the work of Secret Service agents teach us how to make schools safer?

Could school leaders learn how to better protect students from the work of the Secret Service? WXYZ talked to school security and education leaders about what went right preventing more death, and what went wrong costing lives at Oxford High School.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement agencies around Metro Detroit are investigating a number of “copycat” threats that came after the deadly violence at Oxford High Tuesday. Some schools closed for the day in response.

Protecting children is on everyone’s mind.

“I just hope we are brave enough as a state, as a community, to have conversations that need to happen. These kids, their families, they deserve that,” said Robert McCann, Executive Director of the K-12 Alliance of Michigan.

McCann says Oxford High School had many measures in place to prevent a student from firing on classmates. They had training, plans, and a school resource officer on duty. The sheriff’s office says the shooting only lasted about 5 minutes, because of a quick response preserving lives.

“Every 30 seconds, or whatever it is, there is another casualty,” said Todd Runyan, Regional Director of the National Association of School Resource Officers.

Runyan says he believes what happened at Oxford High shows the importance of School Resource Officers in an emergency. He has heard some ask, should there be metal detectors? He warns they can provide a false sense of security. People can smuggle weapons in through windows or emergency exits, for example.

“We still have people that are able to bypass those. Are they a tool that can be used? Absolutely. I am grateful that so far we don’t have them in my community,” said Runyan.

 

“The Secret Service is a leading agency in studying incidents like what just occurred,” said Bill Cousins, CEO W.J. Cousins and Associates.

Cousins owns a company that provides security consultants and risk analysis. He worked with the Secret Service for more than two decades as a supervisory special agent.

“There is every indication this individual left signs he may do something like this,” said Cousins.

Cousins says Secret Service agents are trained to approach people who talk or write about hurting someone and get them help.

“You have to identify people who are hurting,” said Cousins.

He says schools need resources to help people who are hurting to protect students and staff, following the model of the work of the Secret Service.

“We could arrest that individual for what they said, but the best thing is to get them help,” said Cousins.

 

Education advocates agree. Michigan’s counselors each have hundreds more students than are recommended.

The investigation is still underway, discovering what happened leading to the tragedy at Oxford High School.

 

[ Article/Video: https://www.wxyz.com/news/oxford-school-shooting/could-the-work-of-secret-service-agents-teach-us-how-to-make-schools-safer
(Note: William Cousins comments start at 1:25 in the video ) ].

 

WJ Cousins and Associates founder, William Cousins, has over 35 years in the security industry—22 years of that spent as a US Secret Service agent. He and WJCA can be of service in these kinds of situations. Contact them to discuss your security needs.

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Why Hire WJ Cousins and Associates to Secure Your Cannabis Business?

Marijuana has become a big business in America. 33 States have legalized cannabis for medical use with eleven decriminalizing usage totally. We have passed the tipping point in public opinion and a bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to take marijuana off Schedule 1 completely and have it regulated like alcohol and tobacco.

The medical marijuana industry in the State of Michigan, for example, is estimated to be $725.6 million in 2019. That is expected to double after recreational use has been codified. The State has placed a mountain of security and reporting regulations on the industry including facility surveillance requirements, transportation security protocols, and even waste disposal rules. This is to protect the safety of the growers and dispensaries. With high-quality buds going for $400 an ounce, theft and hijacking are real business risks. A qualified security expert is as necessary for this business as electricity and running water.

There are few security experts more qualified than WJ Cousins and Associates. It is a full-service firm offering security planning and consulting. The founder, Bill Cousins, has over 35 years in the security industry; 22 years of that spent as a U.S. Secret Service agent. He has also spent nearly a decade as a Director of Security in the corporate world and is considered a subject matter expert in facility security and threat mitigation. Cousins has quickly become the preeminent expert in the security requirements of the cannabis industry. He has partnered with the leading attorneys and tech experts in the industry. Bill has been an advisor to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Bureau of Marijuana Regulation Working Group.

So when the time comes to start planning and implementing to secure your cannabis business—developing your security measures and procedures—contact Bill Cousins at WJ Cousins and Associates. They will ensure your facility is compliant and secure.

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