On today's podcast episode, our host Cynthia Yanof speaks with TCA Director of Campus Security David Smith. We learn about TCA's multilayer approach to keeping students safe, but even more, we hear his Campus Safety Team's commitment to our school. David Smith started at TCA in April 2018 and is a retired Dallas police officer with 32 years of experience in law enforcement. School safety has changed over the last 15 to 20 years, and the emphasis on safety has increased. Safety is extremely important to parents and our school administration. Campus safety and security begin with praying over our school, but we cannot be naïve; we must also be prepared.

Because of the types of families at TCA, David says this changes his team's role from policing kids to protecting them.

We have an Addison police officer on campus from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Campus Safety Team has grown, and we now have five full-time and one part-time employees who are all retired Dallas police officers. The combined experience of this team is over 150 years. The team is visible on campus in carpool and throughout the day.

We have a new campus fence that will protect our campus after hours and during the day. The gate will help us provide safety and security on campus. All building doors on campus are locked as well. MS and US students have access cards or devices to access the doors. All LS students are escorted across campus. Visitors to campus must sign in and wear a name badge on campus. All classrooms can also be secured as well.

We have a layered communications approach which includes training for all TCA employees with access to the PA system. The Campus Safety Team also monitors communication across campus, and TCA uses an emergency communications app and panic button through Titan HST. It is an invaluable communication tool for our campus. The safety attitude of the team is that they are the spear and the shield. They will put their lives on the line and put themselves in harm's way to neutralize any threat on campus and to keep our students safe. Please reach out to David Smith with any safety concerns.