Super Power Failure

The first part of this post has inadvertently turned into a how-to for stalkers.  I don't know what to think or say about that.  I'm really only trying to cover my tracks in case I ever have to explain myself.

As the character Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd states in "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,"

"You know boys, I got a pretty good bullshit detector.  And I can usually tell when someone's pissin' on my boots and tellin' me it's a-rainin'."

This is probably my one superpower.  If someone's telling a falsehood, or spreading bad information, something goes off in my head.  A big red sign lights up, saying, "That ain't right."  Or maybe it's just a brain itch.

That sign was blinking like a Check Engine light when I saw this picture on Facebook:

It was shared by one of my relatives from the page of Brett Compton, who later started a community page dedicated to a specific approach to school security:  Project Prepared: Response Options for School Intruders.  TL;DR version, the approach being promoted here is "run, fortify, fight", which is being promoted by some security consulting firms.

Also like a Check Engine light, however, that was about as specific as my feeling got.

I've raised some questions about this particular approach to school safety on the page.

Compton thanked me for my comment, but declined to tell me where the drill happened.  At this point the flashing sign became accompanied by a warning bell.

I was becoming convinced that he was hiding something.  Maybe this picture just shows a classroom prank?  Maybe he just found it on the Internet and is placing his own political slant on it?


All right, I'm a suspicious bastard, and in another lifetime I'd have been a copper.  (Heck, if my dad hadn't quit the Clinton PD, I probably would have followed in his footsteps.)  Recognizing this, I tried again to ask for specific details.

Aaand cue the klaxons.  Folks, if there is one thing that will make anyone reject your point of view in a heartbeat, it's a response like this.  Now I was certain that Mr. Compton was hiding something, and no amount of cortisone was going to stop that itch.  So I set off to find out for myself.  Heck, I ain't no computer smart guy for nothing.

The image metadata didn't offer any clues so I won't bore you with it.  Google image search turned up only one similar photo, except with the blurred face showing, but equally devoid of provable context   Only the teacher's name above the door offered any information, and it was hard to read.   Mr./Ms. Drydene?  Drydenn?  Drydena?  Drysdale?  Google kept replacing my searches with a high school teacher's name who has become notorious for promoting the radical notion that minors share Fifth Amendment rights.  (He was fired, but then later elected to the school board.  Give 'em hell!)

With the image being more or less a dead end, I returned to the original shared post on Brett Compton's personal page.  Like any sensible individual, he does not share personal information with strangers, but leave it to Facebook to leave loopholes.  I'mma checking my own crap after posting this.

Immediately I noticed that the only visible friends were people in the security and gun business (flags are starting to pop up around that flashing sign).  Whoops - that looks like confirmation of a strong pro-gun agenda, and possibly a personal profit motive.

Further down the page, a few groups are shown.

Bingo.  Target acquired:  Charleston, IL.  A rather small community, but the school district as their own website.  As does the middle school, and there on the staff list is Mrs. Dryden.  Time to compose an email.

Mrs Dryden,

I hope this finds you well.  My name is John Payton, and I am actually no one connected with your school district, nor any media outlet.  

I saw a picture on this link, which appears to be of your classroom at Charleston Middle School.  

https://www.facebook.com/500233840146541/photos/a.500238643479394.1073741827.500233840146541/500238400146085/?type=3&comment_id=500377570132168&notif_t=photo_reply

The caption on the photo is fairly self-explanatory.  The owner of the page, Mr. Brett Compton, claims that he took this photo on September 30th of this year, during an emergency preparedness drill.  He says that three middle school students were able to hold the door closed against an adult using an extension cord wrapped around the door handle, that the students piled the furniture in front of the door to slow down an intruder, and that they stood by ready to throw objects at anyone able to defeat these defenses.

I have politely asked Mr. Compton for details, but he refused to answer, and instead banned me from posting to his page.  In case you are concerned, he has rendered the only face in the photo unrecognizable (although it can also be found unretouched at http://imgur.com/gallery/QWozVad), and did not even release the name of the school; I found this myself using public information.  I employed such lengths because something about his claims seems off to me, though I cannot quite define it.  His behavior when questioned directly and politely lead me to believe that he is spreading false or misleading information.

My main concern here is verification of the information presented.  I would like to confirm for myself that Mr. Compton's claims are true.  Would you mind taking the time to tell me about the exercise?  I do have some questions, but if you have more information to offer, please tell me whatever you like.  To remain above-board am also sending this letter to several other destinations, listed below.  Please feel free to forward my request.  I would welcome any response.  

First, does the picture indeed show a preparedness exercise?  I can't find any news of it, although admittedly the date in question was quite recent.  Surely, though, parents would be notified of such activities. 

Was the exercise conducted in-house, or was a consultant hired?  

What is Mr. Compton's connection to the school?

Did the students hold the door closed as described?  If so, was this verified by someone employed by the school, or did the only person who tried to overpower the students' hold actually a member of a consultant's team?

What do parents think of their children being trained to respond in this manner?

What was your overall impression of the exercise?   

Copies sent to:

Principal of Charleston Middle School

Superintended of Schools

Charleston Board of Education

Journal-Gazette and Times Courier

If that CC list seems a little excessive, please remember that I was trying very hard to present myself as a citizen with a legitimate concern.  If this photo is being used to share a hoax, they should know.  And if this did happen as described, the community should know.

At 9am on October 8th, I finished a phone conversation with the principal of Charleston Middle School, a Mr. Chad Burgett.  This is what I learned.

The school regularly holds drills to ensure that staff and students know what to do in certain emergencies. This is similar to every school, although when I was growing up we mainly did this for fire and tornadoes. I was lucky; my generation just missed out on the completely laughable nuclear attack drills that used to be practiced. Nowadays, armed intruders are considered a valid enough threat that a plan is needed for this.

The school system's plan currently involves locking the door and hiding. The administration hired a security firm (I didn't ask which one) to review their emergency plans. The biggest change recommended was toward a more proactive approach to armed intruders. The company espouses the philosophy that this is safer. The schools sent a few of the staff to a seminar regarding specific strategies, to evaluate and report. At this time, no changes have yet been made.

One teacher, running the classroom pictured, asked for and received permission to try some of the methods taught during the next drill. Mr. Compton was the officer on duty (this is required during such drills) and observed this.

The principal verified that no one could get the door open, even unlocked. Normally, even with the extension cord in place, the door would be locked anyway. Personally, I can think of at least one way to remove this obstacle, but you'd have come prepared.

I asked about feedback from the staff, students, and parents but apparently the results of this drill are still under evaluation. The current plan is still in place.  I believe, from the way Mr. Burgett answered my question, that parents were not aware of the exception made.

I made it clear to the principal that Officer Compton did not reveal any details that could identify the school, and in fact he has photoshopped out the one recognizable face. I sincerely hope that I have not caused trouble for him.

So why did I go to these lengths? Because something about this tripped a nagging feeling that some part of it was false. Those concerns have been laid to rest. I still have some reservations about this plan, and most of them stem from worry over the safety of the children. But I think we can all agree that this is the primary concern for all of us here.