My name is Tim Bailey. I’m 65 years old, and live in Auburn, near Thomas Jefferson High School. Both my sons attended schools here in Federal Way.

I earned a marksman medal in the Army, and was a helicopter door gunner in Vietnam. I’m presently working as an air traffic controller at SeaTac Airport. I have a full background clearance to work there. I also have a concealed weapons permit, and own a .38-caliber revolver.

I was formerly a sky marshal, custom security officer, deputy U.S. marshal, as well as a treasury agent for the federal government. I’ve had extensive training with weapons, arrest techniques, as well as the numerous required FBI background checks. I’m presently a volunteer with the Federal Way Police Department, requiring another extensive background check.

What I’m trying to say: It is time the city, state and school district take advantage of its residents to immediately staff its schools with local security. Let’s not wait months, and years, for the federal government to try to solve this senseless violence that is occurring in our schools. We will eventually end up with another TSA mess, and that will not give us what we need now. There are numerous Baby Boomers with police/security backgrounds to get this problem solved immediately.

One security person, eight hours a day per school, is feasible. The only thing this lacks is some small funding. The leadership in our city, police department, county and state need to get “boots” on the ground today. Let’s not wait for another Sandy Hook to happen again, and God forbid, possibly here in Federal Way. Time to act is now. No time to wait. Too many “crazies” out there for me. You too?

Tim Bailey, Auburn