WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- Community leaders in New Hanover County are ready to take a stand against the school shootings.

Elected officials and community leaders held a news press conference today at UNCW to talk school safety.

"All of us up here watched in horror what happened up in Newtown, CT, and we approached it not as public officials but as parents," District Attorney Ben David said. "And what it really pointed out was two things. First, that nothing is more important than the safety of our children, and second, that a tragedy like that can happen anywhere."

To combat this issue, leaders announced the summit on school safety. The collaborative event will take place Tuesday, March 12, at Cape Fear Community College.

Leaders say they want to identify problems, take a look at existing resources and those that they may need, and come up with solutions to create safe school climates.

David says the main goal of the summit is to be proactive, not just reactive when it comes to school safety.