NCJ Number
35624
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICERS SPEAKS OUT ON THE DRAMATIC INCREASES IN VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM IN THE SCHOOLS AND ON SOME OF THE WAYS THAT ARE USED TO COMBAT THEM IN BROWARD COUNTY (FL).
Abstract
AN EXTENUATED PRESENTATION OF SCHOOL CRIME STATISTICS AND 'WAR STORIES' PRECEDES A RELATIVELY SHORT TALK ABOUT THE SOLUTIONS. COOPERATION WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES IS STRESSED. THE SPEAKER, WHO IS THE SCHOOL SECURITY DIRECTOR OF BROWARD COUNTY (FL) MEETS WITH THE CHIEFS OF ALL 31 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO DISCUSS SCHOOL SECURITY PROBLEMS. WHEN BUSING WAS A POTENTIALLY VIOLENT PROBLEM IN FLORIDA, PRIOR PREPARATION AND PLANNING WITH LOCAL POLICE RESULTED IN THE AID OF MANY POLICE WHO VOLUNTEERED FOR SCHOOL DUTY. IMAGINATIVE SOLUTIONS, SUCH AS ENTERTAINING THE YOUNGSTERS WITH FRISBEE CONTESTS AND MAGIC SHOWS COMPLETELY AVOIDED VIOLENT CONFRONTATIONS IN THAT COUNTY. THE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM NOW UTILIZES UNARMED, PLAINCLOTHED, POLICE RESOURCE PERSONS IN THE SCHOOLS. THESE PERSONS STRIVE FOR MUTUAL RESPECT WITH THE STUDENTS. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CRIMINAL INCIDENTS, ALL INTERVENTIONS ARE TURNED OVER TO THE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS FOR APPROPRIATE HANDLING. TRAINING FOR THESE OFFICERS IS HANDLED BY THE SCHOOL SECURITY DIRECTOR OF THE COUNTY. OTHER SCHOOL CRIMES WERE PREVENTED BY A STUDENT WATCH OVER THE SCHOOL PARKING LOTS THAT WAS CARRIED OUT BY STUDENTS IN STUDY HALL PERIODS, AND A PROVISION THAT SCHOOLS MADE TO ALLOW POLICE OFFICERS TO TYPE THEIR REPORTS AND USE PHONES IN CERTAIN SCHOOL ROOMS. THE PRESENCE OF THE POLICE CAR ON THE CAMPUSES WAS THOUGHT TO HAVE A DETERRENT EFFECT. FOR THE ENTIRE SERIES OF TAPES FROM THE VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM CONFERENCE, SEE NCJ-35621, 35623-35627, 35629-35635, 35637, 35638, AND 35640-35645.