The study found concerns of a shooting were higher in urban areas than in suburban or rural districts. (WFIU/WTIU News)
More than half of the Hoosiers Ball State and Old National Bank recently surveyed say they’re worried about a school shooting happening in their communities.
It’s part of an annual survey the university and bank conduct to see where Indiana residents stand on different state issues and policy.
One of the focuses of this year’s survey is school safety. It asked early 600 Hoosiers over the age of 18 whether they worry about a school shooting happening and whether restrictions on assault rifles could help.
Charles Taylor is Managing Director for the Bowen Center for Public Affairs. He says they hope the results of this study will result in legislative action.
“We asked how worried they were, if at all, about a shooting at their local school,” Taylor says. “56 percent of Hoosiers told us that they were very or somewhat worried about a shooting at their local school.”
A press release from the university breaks that down further, stating that 20 percent of Hoosiers said they were “very worried” and another 36 percent said they were “somewhat worried” about a shooting.
The study also found that these concerns were higher in urban areas than in suburban or rural districts.
Taylor says including issues like school safety in this year’s survey is important because of the prevalence of school shootings in the past year.
“There have been events here in Indiana and nationwide in schools in particular and other public places. We thought it was important to get a measure of Hoosier opinion,” Taylor says.
The survey also looked at Hoosiers’ support for methods of prevention. It found that the measures receiving the most support focused on mental health screening and treatment, but arming teachers and school officials received the least support.
The official results of this year’s Hoosier survey will be available Tuesday.
