NCJ Number
28577
Date Published
1974
Length
26 pages
Annotation
SUMMARY OF A SEMINAR TO EXPLORE THE CAUSES OF SCHOOL CRIME AND TO RECOMMEND REALISTIC MEANS OF CONTAINING AND MINIMIZING IT; THE DISCUSSION INCLUDED APPROACHES TO SCHOOL SECURITY.
Abstract
THE CONFEREES, CONSISTING OF SCHOOL SECURITY DIRECTORS, EDUCATORS AND SOCIAL SCIENTISTS, MADE THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS. ALL SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD SET UP AN APPROPRIATE RECORDKEEPING SYSTEM IN ORDER TO PINPOINT PATTERNS OF SCHOOL CRIME IN AN EFFORT TO ANTICIPATE PROBLEMS. OVERSIZED SCHOOLS THAT FOSTER AN IMPERSONAL ATMOSPHERE MUST BE REORGANIZED TO CREATE SMALLER UNITS THAT GIVE RISE TO A FEELING OF COMMUNITY AMONG THE STUDENTS. INCREASED INVOLVEMENT OF STUDENTS AND CITIZENS IN ALL ASPECTS OF SCHOOL LIFE IS IMPERATIVE IF THE SCHOOLS ARE TO COMPRISE A SAFE AND HUMANE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL. SCHOOL SYSTEMS MUST OFFER APPROPRIATE PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES AND OPTIONS THAT WILL PROVIDE SUBSTANCE AND MEANING TO THE BROAD RANGE OF STUDENT ABILITIES TO BE SERVED. IF THE RATE OF CRIME REACHES A POINT AT WHICH IT IS NECESSARY TO EMPLOY SECURITY PERSONNEL, THE SCHOOL SYSTEM SHOULD EMPLOY A PROFESSIONAL STAFF WITH A LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND RATHER THAN USE GUARDS AND UNIFORMED POLICE IN THE HALLS. SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES SHOULD BE ALLOCATED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CURRICULA THAT EMPHASIZE THE TEACHING OF MORAL AND ETHICAL VALUES.