Baltimore County Public Schools

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September 10, 2025 Staff & Community Update: School Safety and Climate

Team BCPS—

After welcoming more than 110,000 students back to school on August 25, we at BCPS want to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the safety, security, and well-being of every student and staff member across Team BCPS.

BCPS utilizes a multi-tiered approach for managing school safety and providing welcoming learning environments that foster positive student growth. Below you will find highlights of BCPS safety/security protocols in place for the 2025-2026 school year.

Watch the September 9, 2025 presentation on School Safety and Climate

Physical Safety Measures:

“I Love U Guys” Foundation: Standard Response Protocol

BCPS has implemented a new school safety protocol, based on the I Love U Guys Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol, a nationally recognized school safety framework. This framework provides clear and simple language and actions for schools to follow during emergency situations.

• Baltimore County Police Department: 85 School Resource Officers based at middle and high schools and floating between elementary schools).
• School Safety Assistants: Elementary focused support, Middle, High.
• Omnilert: A weapons detection system using artificial intelligence.
• Opengate: Metal detection technology.
• Secure Vestibules/Secure Entry Points: controlled access with security personnel, surveillance cameras, and locked doors during school hours.
• Emergency Drills: Regular fire, lockdown, and evacuation drills to prepare students and staff for emergencies.
• Visitor Management (Raptor): Required identification checks and visitor badges to monitor who enters schools.
• School Safety is a Shared Responsibility framework.

Social Emotional Supports and Resources: 

• Promoting safe and affirming learning environments through student lessons as a part of the Student Handbook content and presentation and counseling lessons.
• The Mind Over Matters annual campaign promotes wellness and awareness that addresses bullying prevention, coping skills and healthy relationships, suicide awareness, etc.
• The integration of social and emotional learning into instruction to strengthen students’ skills in navigating relationships, decision making and awareness. This includes Conscious Discipline at the elementary level with Restorative Practices and Zones of Regulation, Virtual Calming Room.  
• The MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) includes prevention and tiered intervention with core elements of school-wide wellness and mental health promotion and prevention activities, social emotional learning, positive behavioral supports, consultation and processes for teaming and screening.    
• The expansion of Mental Health Services continues to be prioritized through the provision of Student Support Services by school counselors, social workers and psychologists who are trained to embed therapeutic prevention and intervention into the learning environment and who can facilitate Community Mental Health Partnerships.  High school students also have access to free online therapy and support from Talkspace should they wish to access additional resources.
• Additional resources are available to support students and families.

The Baltimore County Police Department is celebrating more than 28 years of the School Resource Officer program. Currently, 85 SROs provide support across all school levels.  Additionally, BCPS operates in partnership with the BCPS Mobile Crisis Team to provide mental health services to individuals experiencing mental, behavioral, or emotional crises.
Our School Safety Assistants support schools by providing additional safety support, building stronger student/community partnerships, and ensuring that school operations are supported during all daily activities.

School safety requires a comprehensive approach involving physical security, mental health support, digital safety, and active community involvement. When we work together and commit to upholding our roles, we create safe and welcoming spaces where students can maximize learning and experience all that our schools have to offer. If you see something of concern, please say something. Please notify school administrators, call 911, and report suspicious activity to the Maryland Center for School Safety and/or Maryland Coordinated Access Center.