Board hears annual report of violence and vandalism
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

JACKSON - A report detailing the incidents of violence that occurred in Jackson schools during the prior school year was presented to the Board of Education at its Oct. 16 meeting.

Director of Security Walter Jensen reviewed the statistics with the board. He said data is submitted to his office each month and the annual totals are submitted to the state in July.

Jensen said that during the 2006-07 school year there were 19 simple assaults; 34 fights; four harassment, intimidation, bullying incidents; 14 threats; 14 aggravated assaults; and three incidents of terroristic threats.

There were 13 incidents of damage to property, 18 thefts, one fireworks offense, one bomb threat, and one incident of trespassing, he noted.

"The majority of the vandalism incidents occurred at the high school level, and that's largely due to students who leave their property unsecured," Jensen told the board. "Although we try to get our students to keep their personal items in their lockers, often they don't do that."

In order to deal with that issue, teachers are limiting access to locker rooms during class time, and security cameras are being located in various areas throughout the schools. Additional cameras are being installed periodically.

There were 10 incidents of weapons offenses, Jensen said.

"One was an explosive device," he said. "It sounds ominous, but there was a firecracker detonated in Jackson Liberty High School. There were [also] seven knives and two brass knuckles" in the total of 10 weapons offenses.

Regarding substance abuse, the totals include possession violations. These often include possession of drug paraphernalia or other analog substances.

Jensen explained to the board that an analog substance is one which someone attempts to sell and the seller tells the prospective buyer the items are drugs, but it turns out the items are not drugs. The offense is chargeable as if the analog substance was an illegal substance.

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

Of the substance abuse incidents that were reported, 12 were for the use of marijuana, two were for the use of cocaine, and three were for the use of alcohol.

Additionally, one incident was for possession of amphetamines, five were for possession of marijuana and three were for possession of drug paraphernalia. There were two incidents of drug distribution reported.

Several safety measures are being used at all schools to curb problems, Jensen reported. Receptionists are stationed at the entrance of every school. All doors to the building are locked so that traffic must come through the main doors. Staff members are required to wear a photo identification badge and visitors are required to wear an ID badge to clearly show they belong in the building.

All of the schools have a security presence during the day, Jensen said.

Additionally, Jackson police officers who serve as school resource officers are at the middle schools and the high schools. There are security cameras to help monitor student activity. Staff members are given training in emergency procedures and they practice emergency drills with students and staff, including lockdown drills, which simulate an intruder emergency, he said.

"Jackson Liberty High School had their drill today, and it went very well," Jensen told the board.

A comprehensive emergency manual is located in every school, which covers the subjects of intruders, explosives, chemical or biological hazards and natural disasters. These manuals are updated every year and contain a list of staff members who are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid, he said.

There are annual meetings with the Township Council, the police department and the director of emergency management to review response and communication procedures. There are also regular meetings with the Jackson Office of Emergency Management.

"A recent project included the development of an annex to the emergency operations plan for first responders and emergency responders to school crises," Jensen said. "I personally have received training in incident command from the Ocean County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security."

Jensen said it goes without saying that school security is a concern to everyone in the school district and in the community.

"I hope the Jackson community has faith that we will remain proactive in our attention to create and maintain a safe school environment for our students and our staff. That's an important job," Jensen said.

Board member Martin Spielman asked for a comparison of the incident totals from the 2005-06 and 2006-07 school years.

Jensen said acts of violence increased from 71 incidents in 2005-06 to 76 incidents in 2006-07. Acts of vandalism dropped from 82 incidents in 2005-06 to 33 incidents in 2006-07. Weapons offenses increased from eight incidents in 2005-06 to 10 incidents in 2006-07. Incidents of substance abuse increased from 16 incidents in 2005-06 to 23 incidents in 2006-07. The cost of vandalism rose from $1,840 in 2005- 06 to $2,794 in 2006-07.

Noting that there had been a slight increase in the number of students in the district and that Jackson Liberty High School was in operation, Spielman asked Jensen how he would rate the two years.

"Obviously there has been an increase in some areas," said Jensen. "[As to] the particular cost to the district for vandalism, it's my understanding that a major portion of that was one incident where an arrest was made and restitution has either been made or will be made. Other than the facts speaking for themselves, I have no wisdom to give you a rationale why."

Jensen said the security cameras have been helpful in revealing incidents after they have occurred and they have been useful in proactive measures throughout the buildings where cameras are in place. He said acquiring additional cameras would be helpful.

"One picture is worth a thousand words when it's time to show that someone is responsible for an act and we have it on film. It's an easy case," he said.