School Violence

SOME STRAIGHT ABOUT STOPPING
SCHOOL VIOLENCE
AND SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER

Red Oak Police Department's School Resource Officer:
Lieutenant Dean Strovers
Lieutenant Dean Strovers is the Red Oak Police Department's School Resource Officer (SRO). Lt. Strovers has over 20 years of law enforcement experience. This is the second year the SRO Program has been implemented through a Federal Cops Grant.
The SRO serves as a safety instructor, an instructor of law enforcement related topics and counselor in conjunction with school personnel. Lt. Strovers maintains contact with parents and people of the business community and represents the police department to various community organizations and carries out a constant community relations program. He also performs various law enforcement duties as required and will be constantly vigilant regarding the safety and welfare of the youth of Red Oak. The SRO, although working within the school setting, is an armed officer who carries a Iowa Law Enforcement Academy certification and has full powers of arrest.
The SRO position requires the ability to work with and communicate with the youth, school personnel and parents as well as the appropriate juvenile/youth service organizations. He regularly requires decisions for which there are no clearly defined or established policies or procedures and routinely requires the handling of confidential or sensitive information. Lt. Strovers must not only work as a police officer but also be capable of working within the school environment and be constantly aware of police department guidelines as well as school policy. These two policies are not always compatible therefore the school resource officer must constantly maintain open lines of communication between himself and the various police and school administrations.
The SRO must be capable of the following:

have a working knowledge of the Iowa Criminal Code and how they apply to police and school situations as well as a thorough knowledge of the City of Red Oak ordinances.

have a working knowledge of the Iowa Juvenile Codes.

have a working understanding of both police and school administrative policies and guidelines.

have the ability to communicate with youth and/or parents of various ages, backgrounds and cultures in order to carry out the various duties of a SRO.

perform other tasks and duties as required or necessary.

IOWA SUBSTANCE ABUSE INFORMATION CENTER

THE BEST ADVISE - DON'T START!

Take this pledge, right now:
I will be a part of the growing trend of students
to be an active part in "Taking Back My School".
I have had enough. I will help my fellow students by keeping my school clean of drugs. We all have a right to an
education - free of drugs and violence.
If I see or hear of drug or violent activity,
I will phone Scholastic Crime Stoppers at 1-800-432-1001.
I do not need to identify myself, the call is not recorded, the call is not identified by caller ID and I may be eligible for a reward, if the tip leads to the arrest and conviction of the offender(s).

YOU have the right to attend YOUR school
without fear. Therefore, it is time
to step forward. For your fellow students,
your teachers and yourself.

If you see or hear it, call
Scholastic Crime Stoppers at
1-800-432-1001

‘Violent behavior in a child at any age always needs to be taken seriously.’ — AACAP

      ALL ARE WARNING signs of violent behavior, according to psychology experts.
       With the recent school shootings, people all over the country may be looking at their loved ones and wondering if they're at risk. The problem: While certain behaviors do signal an increased probability of violence, not every child who exhibits them will indeed go postal.
       Nevertheless, experts say, it is better to be safe than sorry. Violent behavior in a child at any age always needs to be taken seriously, says the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. “Do not dismiss it as a phase they're going through.”
       Victims of violence are most likely to be between the ages of 12 and 24. According to MTV: Music Television research, violence is the number one concern overall among its viewers. And, in a recent American Psychological Association poll, 40 percent of youth say they have been concerned about a potentially violent classmate.
       The survey also showed that nearly three in four youths want to learn the warning signs of violent behavior.
       According to the APA, “violence is a serious possibility” in children who exhibit the following warning signs:

Loss of temper on a daily basis.
Frequent physical fighting.
Significant vandalism or property damage.
Increase in use of drugs or alcohol.
Increase in risk-taking behavior.
Detailed plans to commit acts of violence.
Announcing threats or plans for hurting others.
Enjoying hurting animals.
Carrying a weapon.

And the potential for violence exists in many others, the group says. Children who are in a gang or even who have a strong desire to be in a gang are at risk. If they start withdrawing from friends and usual activities, they are at risk. Even youngsters who suddenly start getting bad grades could be prone to violence — you just cannot be sure unless you seek professional help.
While there is no formula for pinpointing exactly who will become violent, numerous studies have homed in on certain factors, the AACAP says. Among them:

Previous aggressive or violent behavior.
Being the victim of physical abuse and/or sexual abuse.
Exposure to violence in the home and/or community.
Having a parent who is violent.
Heavy exposure to violence in TV and movies.
Use of drugs and/or alcohol.
Presence of firearms in home.
Brain damage from head injury.

Coping with anger Experts suggest these tips for dealing with anger without resorting to violence:

Talk about your feelings — if you can't find the right words to describe what you're going through, find a trusted friend or adult to help you one-on-one.
Express yourself calmly — express criticism, disappointment, anger or displeasure without losing your temper or fighting.
Listen to others — listen carefully and respond without getting upset when someone gives you negative feedback. Try to see the other person's point of view.
Negotiate — work out your problems with someone else by looking at alternative solutions and compromises.

Source: APA

       Youths who grow up in extremely stressful circumstances — living in poverty with a single, unemployed parent whose family has cut him off, for example — are also at risk, the experts say.
       Anyone who recognizes any of the warning signs for violent behavior in their children or themselves, should get help right away, the psychologists stress. Among those qualified to help are a guidance counselor, teacher, school psychologist, coach, clergy or school resource officer.
       “Violence is a learned behavior, and like any learned behavior, it can be changed,” says Russ Newman, executive director for professional practice at the APA. “In order to do that, though, it is important to recognize the warning signs of violence and to get help before violence occurs.”

Sources: APA, AACAP

What to Look For The National School Safety Center has issued this list of characteristics that teachers and parents should watch for in students, including:

Characteristically resorts to name calling, cursing or abusive language.
Habitually makes violent threats when angry.
Has previously brought a weapon to school.
Has a background of serious disciplinary problems.
Has a background of drug, alcohol or other substance abuse or dependency.
Has few or no close friends.
Is preoccupied with weapons, explosives or other incendiary devices.
Displays cruelty to animals.
Has witnessed or been a victim of neglect or abuse in the home.
Bullies or intimidates peers or younger children.
Tends to blame others for difficulties and problems they cause.
Consistently prefers TV shows, reading materials, movies or music expressing violent themes, rituals and abuse.
Reflects anger, frustration and the dark side of life in school writing projects.
Is involved with a gang or an antisocial group on the fringe of peer acceptance.
Is often depressed and has significant mood swings.
Has threatened or attempted suicide.
Has tantrums and uncontrollable angry outbursts.

What do you know about school violence?
Test your knowledge, and see some surprising statistics on children, schools and weapons.

School violence: Does it affect you?
Take our survey on school violence and compare your answers to those of other MSNBC users.

How do people cope with shock and grief?
Elizabeth Carll, a clinical psychologist specializing in trauma
and violence, answers questions on post-traumatic stress.

RED OAK SCHOLASTIC CRIME STOPPERS

IOWA CRIME PREVENTION ASSOCIATION

This message is brought to you by your friends who respect you at:
The Red Oak Police Department
The Montgomery County Sheriffs Department
The Red Oak Fire Department and
The Montgomery County Crime Stoppers