Thinking Of New Fool-Proof (And Bullet-Proof) Ways To Live

When I wrote my column a few weeks ago about keeping students safe inside of schools, the last thing on my mind was leaving it to children to protect themselves physically from being injured. There isn't much a child can do to ensure their own safety until they're at least teenagers who can defend themselves. After the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut last month, everyone is talking about protecting our youngsters while they're in school. Unfortunately, even college-aged teens can't be prepared for mass murderers entering a building and killing as many people as possible.

I recently read about a Columbia firm that's looking to making bulletproof clothing for children. My first thought was: Is this what it's come down to? For over two decades, Miguel Caballero has reportedly been making bullet-proof clothing for politicians and other big shots who need protection in public. Now, sources say, he's aiming his market toward the U.S., – just as we're rethinking the safety of our children in light of the Newtown shooting.

There are so many reasons I think this concept is menial – besides the fact that bullet-proof clothing and backpacks are not 100 percent protection if a child gets shot numerous times in other places on their body that are not shielded. Will our children have to go to school looking like they're entering a minefield? Should they start sporting army helmets and storing glass and metal shields under their desks? Children are victims of so many other accidents – and some intentional injuries – we should arm them to be prepared for other situations on a daily basis.

Child abuse: Youngsters are defenseless against adults who use their hands or blunt objects to impose “discipline.” For children who are tied to chairs, starved to death, beaten or whipped – where is their armor? Maybe they could invent clothing that activates an invisible bubble or barrier around a child. While this might seem like a joke, a lot more children are victims of abuse in their own home than they are victims of school shootings. Children are told to tell someone at school, or someone they trust, that they’re being beaten at home. Hopefully, shortly after that, they’ll be taken out of their destructive environment.

Bullying: Bullies are already equipped with the verbal and psychological tools to make their victims feel tinier than an ant. Threats often turn into cyberbullying, teasing and harassment. In extreme cases, victims sometimes commit suicide because they can't tolerate the pressure they're under for simply being themselves. Last year, Roy H. Mann student and Marine Park resident Kardin Ulysse's eye was taken out when he got into a fight with bullies at his middle school. Where was HIS protection? 

The Department of Education is supposed to protect children and make them feel safe in their buildings - and many legislators have been working harder to ensure that school administrators take bullying more seriously. However, most kids are told by their bullies NOT to go to authorities or something worse will happen. I'm not saying children should carry weapons on them if they feel threatened, but there's no physical armor available to stop the insults, torment, emotional and mental pain that is endured on a daily basis. Teaching conflict resolution to children is a nice idea, but once they leave school grounds and get the you-know-what beat out of them, what are their options for protection? Not every parent can afford to send their children to get karate, kickboxing or self defense lessons.

Hit and run accidents: Ovet the past four years, the Canarsie Courier had a few stories of children who were killed by hit-and-run drivers. One incident took place across the street from the Hebrew Educational Society, at East 95th Street and Seaview Avenue on January 21, 2009. Eight-year-old Elijah Thomas was struck by what appeared to be a Cadillac as he crossed the street with his mother and sister. Crime Stoppers' $2,000 reward failed to bring forth any suspects or information leading to anyone's arrest. Another hit-and run happened on East 54th Street and Flatlands Avenue on January 4, 2012. Fourteen-year-old Davonte Jeffers was killed instantly as he was crossing Flatlands Avenue with his mother. Police managed to catch up to 41-year-old Canarsie resident Paul Griffin, who was arrested a few blocks away.

Let's get real. Citywide, there are many more car accidents, abuse incidents and bullying situations that victimize children's lives than mass shootings. We also leave it up to other adults, who are guarding children for up to eight hours a day, to protect them. When those adults' lives are also compromised, what do we do? Start arming them with bullet-proof gear, too? Schools are supposed to be a safe haven, even if locked and secure doors are breached by intruders.

Creating a physical barrier every day around a child sounds sort of foolish, even if there's a slight chance it will prevent them from being killed. Wearing something as simple as bulletproof clothing won't increase a child's survival rate. But if we're allowed to buy these contraptions from our local retailer, I hope they're colorful, breathable and go seemingly undetected by someone who threatens a child's life. Besides, nothing creates an invisible force field like a bright red hoodie that mimics a turtle shell during the course of a normal school day.

http://www.canarsiecourier.com/news/2013-01-10/Telling_It_Like_It_Is/Telling_It_Like_It_Is.html