Take Action to Keep Naples Schools Safe: How Collier County Is Leading the Way in Child and Gun Safety

First Published on: Oct 11, 2018  updated June 28, 2025

As each new school year begins, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office renews its commitment to keeping students safe—and this time, the initiative goes beyond educating kids. With a dual focus on child safety and responsible firearm storage, Collier County is setting a benchmark for comprehensive community safety.

Why School Safety Is More Urgent Than Ever

In the wake of rising school-related violence nationwide, the urgency for preventative measures has never been greater. Florida has witnessed several school shootings and Collier County is taking decisive steps to ensure these tragedies do not reach Naples families. The Sheriff’s Office launched a campaign that brings together families, educators, and businesses in an effort to make schools safer.

Essential Child Safety Practices Every Parent Should Teach

Andrew Blitch, owner of “A” Locksmith and former police officer and director of school security wants Naples parents to know that, “School safety begins at home. Talking with your kids, locking up your guns, building smart habits, all work together to make the difference.” Parents are encouraged to teach their children basic yet vital safety habits:

• Street Smarts: Teach kids how to cross at designated crosswalks, look both ways, and avoid distractions like phones or iPads while walking.
• Car Seats & Helmets: Use age-appropriate car seats and make sure children wear helmets when biking, scootering, or skating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides updated safety guidelines.
• Stranger Danger: Reinforce with children not to talk to or accept gifts from strangers, and teach them to seek help from a trusted adult if they feel unsafe.
• Drug Awareness: Have ongoing conversations about the dangers of drugs, using age-appropriate language and real-world scenarios. Show kids “before and after” photos of drug users.
• Firearm Safety: Let children know that if they see a gun, they should never touch it, leave the room, and tell an adult immediately.

Why Adult Responsibility Matters More Than Ever

This year, the Sheriff’s Office is turning its attention to adults. While children receive much of the safety instruction, adults—particularly gun owners—play a critical role in preventing school-related incidents.

• Safe Gun Storage: Leaving firearms unsecured can lead to devastating consequences. Parents are urged to use gun safes and locking devices. Be SMART has some great information about safe storage and kids. Even if you don’t have kids living in your home, guns can be stolen by minors out of vehicles and unsecured homes.
• Affordability and Access: Gun safes come in various sizes and price points with some opening very quickly for fast self-defense actions. Whether you own a single firearm or a full collection, there’s a secure option available for you at “A” Locksmith.
• Playdates and Sleepovers: Unfortunately many accidental shootings occur when kids get together. Before sending you child over to another family’s home, ask the parents if they have any unsecured firearms in their home.

To raise awareness, the Sheriff’s Office produced a gun safety video aimed at educating families on how simple and cost-effective it is to secure their firearms.

A Community Collaboration: Collier County Sheriff x “A” Locksmith

To create the most impactful safety video possible, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office partnered with “A” Locksmith, owned by a former police officer and locally known for its deep-rooted commitment to community safety.

• Expert Consultation: A Locksmith’s certified safe specialist demonstrated multiple gun safe options from a variety of brands, explaining their features, price ranges, and functions.
• Community Contribution: The filming took place at A Locksmith’s City of Naples location—free of charge—to ensure the Sheriff’s Office could deliver high-quality educational content without budget constraints.
• Trusted Safety Partner: A Locksmith has been a cornerstone of safety in Naples for over 50 years, providing both residential and commercial clients with expert advice and reliable products.

Gun Safety Education in Collier County

Education doesn’t stop with a single video. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office offers additional resources for families and individuals seeking to improve their firearm safety knowledge.

• Naples Gun Safe Class for Adults: This public course includes 2 hours of live shooting practice and in-depth education on firearm responsibility. For details and enrollment, visit the CCSO Firearms Training Page, be sure to secure your spot in advance, these fill up quickly! There are several amazing firearms instructors in Naples if you prefer a private lesson.
• Gun Safety for Kids: CCSO also recommends the Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program—a video-based safety lesson that teaches children to “Stop! Don’t Touch. Run Away. Tell a Grown-Up.”

How You Can Take Action Today

• Talk to Your Kids: Initiate regular, honest conversations about their safety and what to do in emergency situations. Make sure they come talk to you or a trusted adult if they hear about weapons being brought to schools or violent threats.
• Invest in a Quality American-Made Gun Safe: Even a small investment can mean the difference between safety and tragedy. Most imported gun safes can be opened very easily, we open some in as little as 15 seconds with basic tools. Some biometric safes open with any fingerprint, presenting a deadly safety risk. For a professional consultation, visit “A” Locksmith’s showrooms or give us a call.
• Keep Learning About Gun Safety: Even the very best marksmen take the time to practice and stay updated on the latest gun safety protocols, you can learn more about gun safety from the NRA Gun Safety Rules, which are updated regularly.
• Share the Message: Safety is a community responsibility. Share these resources and talk to neighbors, friends, and schools about getting involved.

Conclusion: A Safer Future Starts at Home

Collier County is demonstrating that community safety is most effective when it includes everyone—children, parents, and local businesses. From teaching street smarts to locking up firearms, every small action contributes to a safer school year. Let’s make this a year where prevention becomes second nature, and community responsibility shines through.

FAQs

1. What is the age-appropriate way to talk to my kids about guns?
Use simple, direct language like “If you see a gun, don’t touch it. Find an adult immediately.” Role-playing can also help them remember what to do. Eddie Eagle | NRA Explore has some great tips on navigating this conversation at any age.

2. Are there financial aid options for purchasing gun safes?
Some local organizations and nonprofits provide grants or discounts. Check with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office for current programs. They haven given away free gun locks from time-to-time.

3. Where can I watch the new Collier County safety video?
The video is available on the CCSO YouTube Channel.

4. How can I enroll in the CCSO 4-hour gun safety class?
Visit the Collier County Sheriff’s Training Page or call their office directly for enrollment details. Naples residents absolutely love this class and it does book up several months in advance. We recommend signing up as soon as possible.

5. Does “A” Locksmith offer consultations for residential gun safes?
Yes, “A” Locksmith offers both walk-in and appointment-based consultations with Certified Safe Specialists. Visit our safes pages or our blog to learn more about bolting down your safe, safe ratings for burglary and fire, and where to install your gun safe. Our safe experts can help you determine the best method for securing your firearms for you and find a solution that fits your budget, space, and collection size.