NCJ Number
235663
Date Published
July 2010
Length
40 pages
Annotation
This study examined the occurrence of violent crime in Washington's schools to provide an accurate picture of their safety.
Abstract
This study by the Washington State Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) examines the incidence of violent crime in Washington's public elementary, middle, and secondary schools and analyzes characteristics of these schools in relation to their rates of violent crime. Included are the incidents of crime against staff and the occurrence of gang-related violence on school campuses. Key findings during 2008-09 school year show: Washington is similar to the nation in the percentage of schools recording violent incidents on campus; the State had a higher percentage of schools recording serious violent crime than occurred nationally; middle schools had the highest percentage of schools recording violent crime and the highest rate of violent crime per 1,000 students when compared to other school levels; about 18.2 percent of all schools reported at least one violent crime against staff or faculty and 6.5 percent reported at least one serious crime against staff or faculty; approximately 14.4 percent of schools experienced at least occasional gang violence; 18.4 percent of urban schools reported gang violence, more than either suburban or small town/rural schools; schools in high crime neighborhoods and schools with students who live in high crime neighborhoods were more likely to report gang activity and more frequent gang activity; about 41.0 percent of schools had a security officer, resource officer, or both; sixty percent of schools with enrollment of 1,000 or more students had both security and resource officers. Data were collected from public primary, middle, and secondary school principals in Washington using a survey based on the national School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS). Tables, figures, references, and appendix