Parents take shooting fears to APS

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Horrors like the mass shooting at a Connecticut school frighten every parent, and some them were calling the Albuquerque Public Schools Friday seeking reassurance their kids are protected.

APS officials and police say they're doing everything they can think of including lessons and drills to protect children from a crazed killer.

Special coverage: Connecticut school shooting »

"To the best that we possibly can, we believe that we are prepared should we ever face something as horrific as this," APS Communications Director Monica Armenta said.

The school district uses site safety plans, lockdown drills and communication exercises to prepare students, teachers and administrators for dangerous situations, Armenta added.

She also pointed to the school district's own police force, which puts officers on school campuses, and Albuquerque Police Department officers present on some campuses.

APD started offering training at local schools after the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School suburban Denver killed a dozen students and one teacher.

Everyone seems to agree a big part of preventing tragedies is communication.

"Stopping the threat before the threat becomes active is the key," said APD Officer James Vautier, a school resource officer.  "That involves communication with your counselors and teachers and knowing those kinds of behaviors and red-flag behaviors that might signal a warning."

Albuquerque has had its own recent scares, one in September involving two sixth graders and a plot to shoot up Tony Hillerman Middle School before killing themselves.

"It was because someone very courageous came forward with that information, and we were able to avoid what could have been another tragedy," Armenta said.

The case Armenta just mentioned... Involved two sixth-graders who allegedly drew up a plot to shoot up tony Hillerman middle school and then kill themselves.

Those two middle schoolers were expelled.

APS counselors have prepared a list of tips for parents on how to talk with their kids about the Connecticut tragedy.  Those are posted on the APS website .