Recent surveys indicate that more than 3 million crimes a year are committed in or near the 85,000 United States public schools. An estimated 9 percent of 8th graders carry a weapon to school at least once a month. To respond to the concerns of parents and students, school officials are increasing campus security through target hardening and other measures. ISD police agencies use professional police officers to make schools safer places. More than 65 Texas school districts have organized and equipped such agencies. In 1993 a new law authorized Texas school district police to investigate incidents and make arrests off campus. Representatives of 46 ISD police departments attended a 1995 conference that discussed problems, explored alternative policies, and educated participants about issues related to ISD policing. A survey of participants revealed an estimated 9,541 student assaults on other students during the past year, and an average of 26 student assaults on teachers in each district. Participants ranked assault as the main crime problem and rated dress codes as the most important potential contributor to school safety. The Spring Branch ISD effort exemplifies the measures taken. Figures and 5 references