The Business of School Safety: A Multibillion-Dollar Industry Emerges

The Business of School Safety: A Multibillion-Dollar Industry Emerges

In the wake of repeated mass shootings, the effort to keep schools safe has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry, as districts across the U.S. invest heavily in high-tech solutions marketed to prevent violence on campus. From AI-powered surveillance systems to bulletproof whiteboards and facial recognition entry points, companies are offering what many describe as a sense of assurance—though critics argue that some of these tools prioritize appearance over proven effectiveness.

As fear drives funding, questions persist: Are these technologies truly making schools safer, or are they simply capitalizing on tragedy?

If you’re developing this for an article, op-ed, or presentation, I can help expand on:

• The types of products being sold (e.g., door-locking systems, gunshot detection, threat assessment software)

• Key players in the industry

• Concerns from educators, parents, and civil rights groups

• Data on effectiveness—or lack thereof

• Alternatives (e.g., mental health funding, community intervention)