Board hears report on violence & vandalism

JACKSON — Board of Education members were briefed on the incidents of violence and vandalism that occurred in Jackson schools during the 2007-08 school year at a recent meeting.

Walter Jensen, the district's director of security and attendance coordinator, made the presentation on Oct. 14.

Data for 2007-08 indicated there were 16 simple assaults, 145 fights, nine threats, three incidents of harassment and/or intimidation, and no aggravated assaults or terroristic threats.

There were 11 incidents of damage to property, 10 cases of theft, and four fireworks incidents. There were no bomb threats and no incidents of trespassing.

Jensen said the majority of the thefts occurred at the high school level.

"The large number was due to students leaving their property in an unsecured location," he said. "To combat this problem, teachers are limiting access to locker rooms during class times."

Security cameras have been placed in various locations and more cameras are being installed, he said.

Out of all the weapons incidents that were reported, five incidents were for knives or blades.

"In the area of substance abuse, possession violations often include possession of drug paraphernalia or other substances," Jensen told the board.

"Students found with suspected drugs or drug paraphernalia are evaluated by the school nursing staff and sent for further drug testing. Students found in unauthorized areas or engaged in suspicious behavior may also be sent for evaluation," he said.

Of the total incidents of substance abuse reported, there were 11 incidents of marijuana use, seven incidents of marijuana possession, one use of cocaine, one use of alcohol, one incident of alcohol possession, two incidents of unauthorized prescription use, five cases of unauthorized prescription possession, two cases of distribution of an unauthorized prescription and three incidents of drug paraphernalia possession.

Jensen said Jackson schools are taking an active role in combating the problems of vandalism and violence by applying safety measures that include stationing receptionists at the entrance of all schools and locking all doors to each building except the main entrance.

Staff members and visitors are required to wear identification badges to clearly show they belong in the building, and all schools have a security presence during the day.

Jackson police officers serve as school resource officers at the middle school and high school levels. There are security cameras throughout the district to monitor student activity, all staff members receive training for emergency situations, and staff members and students practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills to simulate an emergency.

Each school is required to have a comprehensive emergencymanual that covers intruders, explosives, chemical or biological hazards and natural disasters. That manual is updated yearly and also contains a list of staff members who have been trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid, the board was told.

Annual meetings are held with police, municipal officials and the director of emergency management to review response and communication.

"A recent project has included the development of an annex to the emergency operations plan for first responders and emergency responders to a school crisis" Jensen said. "Training is also received for incident command from the Ocean County Office of Emergency Management/Homeland Security."