Council member urges prevention and supports after question on school firearm security

Harold Cyr of Rosa Parks Middle School asked county leaders what plans exist to improve security if a firearm makes it into a school building. Council member Kristen Mink, speaking as a parent and county official, prioritized prevention and early intervention, arguing that incidents usually result from a series of missed signals. "Once that firearm has entered the building, we have missed that kid," Mink said, and urged investment in supports to identify and de‑escalate conflicts before they escalate.

Mink pointed to the county Health and Human Services 'street outreach network' as an example of an existing resource some schools use for proactive engagement and called for consistent funding so every school can access similar services. She also asked students what after‑school activities they would attend and emphasized that creating safe, engaging options outside school hours is part of the strategy to reduce risk.