As this decade comes to a close, violence is monopolizing our schools and blanketing our streets. More and more school districts across America are dealing with issues of fighting and harassment between students which makes children feel intimidated and fearful to come to school. As the recent killing of a honor roll student in Chicago reminded us, our children are vulnerable, even at school. Chicago Mayor Daley and President Obama have spoken of increasing security in order to maintain safety and stability where we need it most – in schools. An increase in guards and police will be a result – if you’re interested, now is the time to make a difference.

Arrival and dismissal times are hot moments for violence in schools across the country. This is when most children from either rival gangs or students that don’t like each other often get into confrontations. It was after school that the late Derrior Albert was caught in a melee that left him with a terminal head injury. A honor roll student who wanted to one day go to college, this African American youth was simply going home when he encountered a fight between other students. In his attempts to pull his friends from the fighting zone, he was mistaken as a participant in the brawl. He was struck in the head with a plank of wood and was later pronounced dead.

This tragedy claimed the life of a child who wasn’t even in the mix. The echo of sentiment from friends and officials was “wrong place at the wrong time.” It isn’t though. Where should he have been? It was after school and he was leaving to go home. This clichéd phrase should not be good enough for us. It certainly is not for his mourning mother.

What is needed and being called for is more security to be in the right place at the right time. We need students to feel safe in and out of schools, instead of hostage to gang violence. As Reverend Al Sharpton, Newt Gingrich, and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan continue to travel around America to advocate for education reform, this is a topic of highest importance. It should be.

If you’re interested in going into the field of security to make a difference in lives of children who just want to have a safe time at school, now is your chance. The futures of children like Derrion don’t need to be cut short because of violence in school – with your help, they won’t be. Check out the programs available to you today.