Priority put on school safety with security initiatives

Secure gear, students told

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009

School officials have launched a series of safety and security initiatives over the last few years, including young driver safety, Internet safety, security vestibules at entrances of schools and confidential reporting for both staff and students. Law officers stepped up patrols this week in search of speeders while buses are on the roads.

New this year is a program called "Secure your gear" that asks students to properly store personal items and valuables to avoid theft.

While theft is an ongoing problem, it has gotten worse as iPods, cell phones and other electronic devices are stolen at school from lockers or desks. Often, though, stolen electronics and other items are recovered because "in schools, people talk," Superintendent Michael Martirano said.

While schools are not responsible if personal items are stolen, staff and school resource officers will investigate thefts and hold culprits accountable.

"It's only a matter of time" before someone gives information about an item stolen from school, Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron (R) said in an interview Monday with Martirano and other school and police officials.

Several vandalism incidents at the end of last school year were quickly tracked down because of talk though the grapevine among students and parents, Cameron said. "That's the buy-in to the students. You wouldn't do that to your own house," he said. "It's really creating an atmosphere where everyone is responsible."

And that leads to the message for students this year — take responsibility for their own safety and that of others. While there are a host of both physical and behavioral initiatives in place to aid in the safety of schools, ultimately it is the students who can help the most. "We want them to be responsible for their own safety," Martirano said.

He said he wants to keep schools as "sanctuaries of safety," where students can learn without distractions or fears and parents can feel comfortable knowing their children are in a safe place.

Martirano said a triangle of support between schools, police and families helps keep safety at the forefront.

"Everybody in our school system owns the safety of our children," Martirano said.

Police know all too well events that happen in the community can spill over into school. This is where the school resource officers stationed at middle and high schools come into play.

The officers — one at each high school and two split between the county's four middle schools — walk the schools every day chatting with students. Each has a rapport that allows students to open up with information, Cameron said. Those officers can alert others on community beats if they hear of potential trouble. "It's an important aspect of our community," the sheriff said.

Also, there are 15 safety and security assistants spread throughout the schools. They do regular perimeter checks, monitor visitor check-ins and are on-hand in case of an emergency.

New this year will be a campus security van at each high school.

Cameron said law enforcement relies on prevention and early warnings.

Students are allowed to bring cell phones to school but are not supposed to use them during the school day. Enforcement of the policy is varied. "We have tried to find a middle ground on this," Martirano said. More often inappropriate use of cell phones such as texting during class or sending lewd pictures back and forth, known as sexting, is occurring at schools, Martirano said. "Kids are posting things which are alarming," he said.

School principals will call parents if students are caught using the Internet or cell phones in an inappropriate manner, he said. "Sometimes the parents aren't aware" of what their children are doing online, he said.

Martirano and Cameron said it is a challenge keeping up with technological advancements in communication among kids. "We look at those social network sites quite closely," Cameron said.

Other worries this school year include the potential outbreak of swine flu, also known as H1N1 virus. School-aged children are considered to be especially at high risk and there are plans for mass inoculations this fall at all public elementary, middle and high schools in the county for both the swine flu and the seasonal flu. School and health officials have asked parents to keep children home from school if they have the flu. John Colmers, secretary of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, will decide when to close schools for public health reasons.

jyeatman@somdnews.com