Schools being run by gang members?
"There are some schools right now being run by gang members," Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey testified before City Council on Monday.
Schools being run by gang members?
Kristen Graham
Our Assault on Learning team has been reporting for the past few days on a proposal currently being floated to station city police in the Philadelphia School District's toughest schools. (Read our Saturday story breaking this news here: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/special_packages/inquirer/school-violence/20110409_Nutter_and_Ramsey_consider_putting_armed_police_officers_in_some_schools.html)
In today's paper, our colleague Jeff Shields, reporting on a City Council hearing, noted that Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey told Council that "there are some schools right now being run by gang members." (Read that story here: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/119674379.html) This, presumably, is evidence for why city police ought to be in schools.
That line really stopped me. Gangs running some city schools. Wow.
To be clear: schools currently have school police officers. They do not carry weapons and do not have arrest powers, though they may detain students until city police arrive to make an arrest. There are 635 full- and part-time officers in the district, though the current dire budget situation might mean significant cuts to that force.
A proposal now in preliminary stages would give city police much more of a role in keeping order in schools. It doesn't sound like every school would get a city police officer, but we'd see many more officers (presumably armed) in schools than we do now. I've heard reaction ranging from "finally!" to "how does making school feel like more of a prison help the problem?"
In reporting our series, we talked to many teachers, staffers and students about conditions inside schools. Some talked about neighborhood gangs really affecting safety. I'd love to hear your feedback on two things - one, for those inside schools, how prevalent is gang activity at your school? And two, for everyone - city cops in schools - good idea, or bad?
UPDATE: While we're on the topic, you might also read the commentary of Shelly Yanoff, executive director of Public Citizens for Children and Youth. She wrote today about the district's zero tolerance policy. An excerpt: "Instead of wielding the sledgehammer of zero tolerance, schools must respond to disruptive and violent behavior with a continuum of intervention and support strategies. The district needs to develop a balanced approach that provides serious responses to harmful violence but doesn't unnecessarily criminalize minor infractions."
The full link is here: http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/119674249.html
If Philly was serious about being a top flite city, this would be an easy fix. However the city has other priorities.
Solution- fold the Transit Police and School "Police" into the PPD. Send them through the academy, LEO trained and certified. Then, institute zero tolerance policing throughout the city. Also, force more accurate record keeping upon the schools. They like to forget about fights? Maybe the city should forget to mail some checks.— uh- Ramsey is correct. Even the so called magnet schools have bullying and gang issues. What happened today at Central High School is just another example of how low even the better public schools have dropped. How can we expect the kids to without bullying and intimidation when the adults(politicians,Ackerman,etc.) use the same bullying tactics to get things done.— hghlnder1
- Ahhh just put the armed cops in the schools and give them something
more important to do than stopping drivers in traffic just to meet the monthly quota! Who knows arresting these violents typs now may actyally prevent crime from being committed ahead of time.— Lyrra 
Comment removed.- WELCOME TO PHILA 2011
KEEP VOTING THER SAME PPL IN AND THIS IS WHAT U GET
IM GLAD I MOVED OUT LOL— bobbyboob - Comment removed.
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- This is the result of 40 years of absentee fathers and "political correctness". Most suburban parents would not allow their children to attend a Philadelphia school if you paid them. Read the local crime reports and you'll see that almost every violent crime is committed by a someone who is a product of the Philadelphia school system.— farley
- I don't understand, isn't Job 1 and the Prime Directive for the Super Super to establish and maintain a safe environment for students. If the Super Super can't do this, why does the system need her?— axxell
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- Why have armed cops in schools? I'll give you a reason. I live a couple blocks away from a high school. In the past few years I have seen more armed thugs selling drugs right in front of the school than you see in the badlands. Why go there? because there's not a cop in sight - ever.— DonQ
The biggest problem is that there is no harsh ramifications on students who cause problems. Expelled? That's their express ticket to continue what they probably are doing now - selling drugs and committing crimes. Its time that these kids pay the price for their ignorance towards learning. School is not a place for babysitting.
And their "guardians" need to pay the consequences as well. Heavy fines (upwards of $10000) and jail time. Its time some responsibility falls on the parents.
If that doesn't work, tie them up in a boat and launch it into the Atlantic Ocean.
During the school year, you’ll frequently find her hosting live chats about the district on Philly.com. Please do pass along the scoop about what’s going on at your Philadelphia public school; Kristen welcomes tips, story ideas and witty banter at kgraham@phillynews.com or 215-854-5146.
You can also follow Kristen on Twitter here.
