Blunt creates task force to study campus security

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Matt Blunt on Tuesday announced the creation of a special task force to study how Missouri colleges can respond to campus violence.

Blunt's action came a day after a gunman at Virginia Tech University killed 32 other students, then committed suicide.

The task force is to submit a report by fall with suggestions for how to improve security. It is similar to a committee created to study security at K-12 schools after a middle school student fired a gun in a Joplin school.

An informal working group already has been discussing higher education security. The governor said the shootings in Virginia demand the more formal review.

"This is indeed an urgent need that must be addressed," Blunt said.

The task force will be led by Director of Public Safety Mark James, Commissioner of Higher Education Robert Stein and will include private and public education leaders, police and students.

Stein said he hopes the panel will be able to provide suggestions for improving existing security systems.

A spokeswoman for Blunt said appointments would be made in the next several days.

Blunt said colleges and universities would also be added to an Internet-based program that allows law enforcement to access floor plans for licensed day care facilities and primary schools.