NCJ Number
188057
Journal
THE POLICE CHIEF Volume: 68 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2001 Pages: 64-65
Editor(s)
Charles E. Higginbotham
Date Published
March 2001
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article offers a description of Operation CleanSWEEP, a school safety program operated in San Bernardino County, California.
Abstract
In San Bernardino County, California, an innovative program is showing success in reducing crime on school campus. Operation CleanSWEEP (Success with Education/Enforcement Partnership) is a joint effort of the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, and the county court system. Recognized as a model safe school program, Operation CleanSWEEP takes a three-point approach to school crime. First, students who violate certain criminal codes on school campus receive a combination of retributive and rehabilitative measures. They are given both punishment and appropriate counseling. The retributive measure is a juvenile “citation” written by the vice principal or dean requiring the offending student and his or her parents to appear in Informal and Juvenile Traffic Court. The hearing officer (or judge) will typically fine the student, which will be waived if the student offender commits to change his/her behavior (the rehabilitative measure). The rehabilitative measure typically involves a combination of improving school attendance, improving grades, performing community service, or attending a diversionary program. In lieu of suspension or expulsion, the program keeps the offender in the classroom. Second, there is a security assessment that inspects the schools for safety-related problems. And, third, a speaker’s bureau provides participating school campuses with presentations, demonstrations, and guest speakers on a wide variety of crime and security oriented issues. In addition, Operation CleanSWEEP offers a crisis management plan. The plan is an extensive and intensive training session helping schools prepare for any emergency situation (i.e. armed suspect on campus, hostage situation, bomb threats). The article reports that since the program’s inception suspensions fell from 248 in academic year 1996-1997 to 181 in 1997-1998 and expulsions dropped from 4,509 in 1996-1997 to 3,788 the following year. Calls for service to local sheriff’s stations also dropped by as much as 34 percent, suggesting a drop in crimes being committed. The program is moving beyond high schools to include junior high school and middle schools.