NCJ Number
147585
Journal
School Safety Update Dated: (November 1991) Pages: 5
Date Published
1991
Length
1 page
Annotation
The Director of the Office of Security Operations for the Philadelphia school district is taking a proactive approach to security at the district's schools, which cover a 125-square mile area and are often located in volatile sections of the city.
Abstract
A security vacuum was being created within the school system as security officers were shifted to locations experiencing a crisis situation. But schools which had their security officers removed to another school found their own safety at risk. A lack of financial resources ruled out hiring more security guards and necessitated implementation of a more innovative approach. As a result, the school district created a task force of 14 officers, selected for their intelligence, experience, and motivation, to serve as a response team that could be called to any crisis in the district. In addition, the school implemented an Anti-Graffiti Network, to discourage gangs from painting on the walls in and around the city's schools. This cooperative effort involves both removal of the graffiti and patrolling of restored areas to ensure that gangs do not reapply the graffiti.