Littleton officials to address safety symposium

The sheriff and public information officer of Jefferson County, Colo., will share their insights into the events that took place in their hometown of Littleton.

Deputy Steve Davis said he and Sheriff John Stone have often been asked to address community groups since the April shootings.

Davis said that when he and Stone first began speaking, people wanted them to say how to prevent such tragedies.

"I don't think anyone knows how to do that," he said.

But he said he and Stone do have suggestions for programs and policy changes that can help make a school safer and will share those at the Douglas County meeting Oct. 20.

"That's one thing we talk about a lot, to be prepared - have some groundwork laid. It is impossible to be totally prepared for such a big incident, but something should be in place," Davis said.

Superintendent Pendery Clark said the symposium also will include information from the school district and the sheriff's office on what has been done to prevent school violence and resources parents can use to help a child in trouble.

"It gives us the opportunity to tell what we are doing with the sheriff's office and get parents involved," she said.

Sheriff Ron Pierini said that Douglas and Jefferson counties share the mutual goal of prevention.

"We want to try to be as proactive as we can and try to prevent school violence. I don't want to wait until something happens," Pierini said.

He said it was so important to get as many parents and other community members involved in the effort, he talked to Douglas County Communications Director Dick Mirgon, who had worked with Sheriff Stone, to bring in people with national exposure.

"We were so excited they would be willing to come and speak to us," he said.

Clark said the school district asked the speakers to discuss the lessons they learned after the shooting and said she had sent information on steps Douglas County has taken to prevent school violence.

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