Armed police officers in schools?

[lightningandsnow]

In my high school, next year, they're thinking of instituting a full-time police officer to patrol the building. My school has almost no problem with violence - in fact, the only illegal activity that takes place with any kind of regularity is people smoking pot outside. Not the wisest thing to do, yes, but hardly the BIGGEST PROBLEM EVAH. I don't do drugs, it doesn't appeal to me, so I have no ulterior motive in saying this.

I'm against the officers in school for a number of reasons. I want to go to a welcoming school, not a prison or police state. I also have a big problem with the officers being armed - we're not even allowed to use replica weapons in drama productions. It's just not conducive to a positive school climate. Also, I feel like they're going to be getting students on petty drug posession charges. Say what you will about drugs, but my biggest problem with this is it will make students afraid to come forward if they do see something actually dangerous happening. One of those stoners may see something one day, but never come forward for fear of being arrested for drug posession. Kind of like how many sex workers are afraid to report assualts for fear of being arrested - I feel like the same kind of thing might happen.

What are your opinions on this?

[vanderBeth]

1. We had 2 or 3 at my old school.

I thought it was common. :(

[aikoaiko]

2. No big whoop.

Especially if the school admins and police officers understand that its about keeping students safe and not about arresting kids.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. I don't like it.

I've watched while schools have degenerated into prisons instead of learning centers. It started with locking the doors and being buzzed in at the front door. Then surveillance cameras. And in schools in towns with a negligible history of violence or crime in any of the schools. Having loaded weapons around children makes them more susceptible to harm and death rather than offering them safety.

[lightningandsnow]

5. My school is already on its way to becoming a sort of police state.

All the doors except one are locked at all times, including lunch. There are security cameras in almost every hallway. And, starting this year, we have to wear student card lanyards at all times, including, apparently, at all school-sponsored events.

Man, it's going to be funny to see all these kids at prom with dorky lanyards around their necks...

[FLAprogressive]

12. that's a bit ridiculous n/t

[Taverner]

4. I don't see the point, but hell - if it can prove its worth in numbers I'm game

My guess is that he or she will be sitting there, twiddling his thumbs for most of the time.

[Tunkamerica]

6. Don't you watch Degrassi?

A crazed theater geek can shoot the star basketball player at any time.

Seriously, we had a cop in hm highschool 12 years ago. He did very little. Occasionally caught people smoking. If it's only one guy I doubt he'll change the whole feel of the school.

[PennDem]

7. Not in favor

My son's school had a couple of problem kids last year that enjoyed calling in bomb threats. Obviously security was increased tremendously as it should have been but now all is back to normal. No police, no weapons & no problems. I feel that guns in most schools is overkill. Chances are if someone gets shot, it will be with a gun taken from an armed officer.

[liberalitch]

8. where I teach the cop is actually a very unobtrusive presence....

But I suppose that depends on the personality of the officer involved.
I work in a school that does have a bit of a gang problem (mostly wannabes) and we are lucky to have a great school resource officer (SRO).

[VP505]

9. I don't like the idea of Police Officers

on camps and I really don't like the idea of ARMED Officers on campus. However should that be the case, students better brush up on their Constitutional Rights and watch a few of the on-line videos explaining how to interact with Police.

[lightningandsnow]

11. Like this video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj0mtxXEGE8

I heart Chris Rock.

[VP505]

15. LOL, that was not quite what I had in mind.

Video like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqMjMPlXzdA and or this one:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJWFAWqzSds or perhaps this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyokKFIecIo&feature=related However keep in mind that there are also School Policies that have to be considered, so knowing how those impact your rights is also important.

[FLAprogressive]

10. This is relatively common down here *shrug*

And it's not really a huge deal, and considering some of the school shootings recently -- it could be life-saving.

[izquierdista]

13. It started 40 years ago

The march to a police state, that is. I can remember in junior high (1968? 1969?) there was a new initiative to have a police officer spend some time at the school, supposedly to develop better relations with the kids and improve their image. (Their image having gotten a little tarnished by anti-war demonstrations and the Democratic convention in Chicago.) So he showed up, visited various classes, talked about police work, chatted with kids at lunch, etc. More of a community outreach effort than policing the school grounds.

My opinion is that I am fortunate to be older and was able to attend a school and not an armed education camp complete with guard towers.

[stillcool]

14. I think this is a little bit..

more disconcerting..but I guess it is who we are now.

Wis. lawmaker wants teachers to carry guns
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15142930/

Teachers, other school administrators could carry concealed weapon on school grounds
By Dawn Jones

LANSING (WJRT) (WJRT) -- (09/10/07)--Guns in the classroom could soon be a reality if one Michigan lawmaker has his way.

Republican State Rep. David Agema from the Grand Rapids area has introduced legislation that would allow teachers and other school administrators to carry a concealed weapon on school grounds
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=5650841


Gun class for Utah teachers

Free concealed-weapons session is offered today

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,650198346,00.html
A concealed weapon permit in the state of Utah allows teachers to carry a gun at school. Naturally, this has received some criticism. Some say teachers with guns only creates the potential for more accidents. But these teachers say it's a risk they're willing to take.
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=563941



Texas students pack bookbags; teachers pack heat

By ANGELA K. BROWN
Associated Press Writer
http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=104&sid=1460828
HARROLD, Texas (AP) - Along with normal first-day jitters and excitement, students in this tiny district started school Monday wondering which teachers might be toting firearms.

"It was kind of awkward knowing that some teachers were carrying guns," said Adam Lira, 17, a senior. "I don't feel like they should be, 'cause we already have locked doors and cameras. But I didn't feel threatened by it.
-
"As far as I'm concerned, teachers were trained to educate my children _ not carry a gun. Even police officers need years of training in hostage situations," said Traci McKay, whose three children are among the 110 students in the red-brick Harrold school. "I don't want my child looking over her shoulder wondering who's carrying a gun."

Bill would allow state teachers, some students to carry weapons
January 24, 2008 - 10:42PM
BY HOWIE FISCHER, CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES

Phoenix - Two Mesa lawmakers are crafting legislation to give teachers and some students a chance to shoot back if they're fired upon.

The proposals by Sen. Karen Johnson and Rep. Russell Pearce would allow anyone who has a state permit to carry a concealed weapon to bring it onto the campus of public schools, something now a crime under state law. And it also would overrule similar policies at community colleges and state universi- ties.
http://www.yumasun.com/onset?id=39171&template=article.html


8/2/2008 - FIRST SCCC NATIONAL CONFERNCE IS SMASHING SUCCESS

On August 1, 2008, Students for Concealed Carry on Campus held its first national conference, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
http://concealedcampus.org/