NCJ Number
51421
Journal
CRIME PREVENTION REVIEW Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (OCTOBER 1977) Pages: 17-24
Date Published
1977
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE RESOURCE COMMISSION ON POTENTIAL VIOLENCE OF THE WHITTIER UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT IN LOS ANGELES (CALIF.) ASSESSED THE POTENTIAL FOR VIOLENCE ON CAMPUS.
Abstract
THE COMMISSION WAS APPOINTED IN 1973 AND WAS ASKED TO EXAMINE THE PRESENT SITUATION IN THE SCHOOLS FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND EMPLOYEES AND TO GATHER INFORMATION ON HOW TO PREVENT VIOLENT ACTS, TO COPE WITH AND CONTROL VIOLENCE, AND TO REDUCE FEAR OF VIOLENCE. IT WAS GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES AND THE COMMUNITY. SURVEYS WERE CONDUCTED WITH TEACHERS, SCHOOL EMPLOYEES, STUDENTS, AND PARENTS. A WRITTEN QUESTIONNAIRE WAS SENT TO ALL SCHOOL EMPLOYEES TO ASSESS PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES IN RELATION TO SCHOOL VIOLENCE. LITERATURE IN THE FIELD WAS ALSO REVIEWED. THE REPORTED PERCEPTIONS, ATTITUDES, AND FEELINGS WERE SYNTHESIZED AND PROVIDED THE BASIS FOR A REPORT TO THE FACULTIES AND TO LOCAL COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA. PANEL PRESENTATIONS WERE MADE TO SCHOOLS, TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. DATA ON PARENT PERCEPTIONS INDICATED FEELINGS OF SECURITY IN SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, AND STUDENT PERCEPTIONS SHOWED THAT SOME SCHOOLS HAD ENVIRONMENTS OF GREATER FEAR THAN OTHERS. GIRL'S RESTROOMS WERE CONSIDERED THREATENING PLACES BY BOTH GROUPS. A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF EMPLOYEES FELT THAT STUDENTS RESPOND TO TEACHER DIRECTIONS IN A CLASSROOM; HOWEVER, THERE WAS MORE ANXIETY IN REGARD TO TEACHER CONTROL IN GROUPS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM. THE MAIN CONCERN WAS FOR PROBLEMS THAT OUTSIDERS BRING OR POTENTIALLY CAN BRING TO A CAMPUS. AMONG POLICY IMPLICATIONS RESULTING FROM THE STUDY, THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THAT MAXIMUM LOCAL SCHOOL ENROLLMENT BE ENCOURAGED, THAT SPECIFIC PROGRAMS BE DEVELOPED TO INCREASE THE SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS ON CAMPUS, AND THAT SERVICES OF STREET COUNSELORS OR PARAPROFESSIONALS BE UTILIZED. AN INTERAGENCY CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN 1975 AS A FOLLOWUP TO THE STUDY; SUCCESSFUL FACTORS IN REDUCING CRIME AND FEAR OF CRIME WERE NOTED AND NEW RECOMMENDATIONS WERE MADE. A LIST OF COMMISSION ACCOMPLISHMENTS IS INCLUDED SHOWING THAT 88 PERCENT OF STUDENTS FELT SAFE ON CAMPUS IN A 1976-1977 SURVEY, ANXIETY HAS DEESCALATED, AND AN EMPLOYEE PROTECTION POLICY HAS BEEN ADOPTED. THE QUESTIONNAIRE ADMINISTERED TO THE TEACHERS IS INCLUDED. (DAG)