9/19/2024 Let’s Talk: School Safety Notes

Police Department, Chief Gary Owens

• Full jurisdictional police department

• Safety of all children is a priority

• Police work as counselors, mentors. Many children first policeman they’ve known so good experience

• If you see something, say something

• Tip Line: 706-541-3600

School Safety

• Drills, GEMA Partnerships, Increased training on active attack situations, standardized response

• Security vestibules

• Parking lot attendants at High Schools only

• Sheriff’s office monitoring of radio/school cameras

Safety Concerns

• Internet/ Social media

• Cellphones and their use

• Threats & statements made on/off property

Bully Prevention

• Bullying: Unwanted aggressive behavior by another youth or group of youths

  • Power imbalance & repeated multiple times

• Staff members are required to report bullying or suspected bullying. They use personal judgment.

  • All reports will be investigated

  • Administrator must notify parents of both the bullied students and the student that is doing the bullying

• Disciplinary Actions - District uses progressive discipline process

  • Non-disciplinary - Counseling for both the bully and the victim

  • Loss of privileges

  • Reassignment of Seats

  • Detention

  • Reassignment of class

  • In-School Suspension - want to keep kids in class 

  • Out-of-School Suspension - want to keep kids in class

  • Refer to hearing officer (grades 6-12).

  • May refer to the hearing officer with recommendation of long-term suspension/expulsion

  • Tip line: 706-541-3600

• Bullying Prevention

  • Begin early

  • Show warmth and engagement

  • Learn & talk about bullying

  • Model good behavior

  • Develop clear rules & expectations

  • Encourage children to speak up

  • State Law OCGA 20-2-751.4

  • CCSD Policy JCDAG or Code #29-student handbook

  • October is Bullying Awareness Month

Vaping & Drugs

• 2.08m 18.33% 12-17 year olds have used drugs in the last month

  • 83.88% of those that used, used marijuana

• 5.9% high school & middle school students use e-cigarettes/vape

• Effects of nicotine on minors

  • Attention, learning, mood, impulse control

  • EVALI - lung damage from vaping

• THC Vape

  • Concentration of THC in oil 4x higher than high grade marijuana. Some contains 97.7% THC by volume

• Drug use indicators

  • Shifts in modd

  • Behavioral changes

  • Hygiene & appearance

  • Physical Health

• Gummies, Edibles - look just like candy and snacks. Buying online - not regulated.

• Drug Indicators

  • Smell

  • Look in eyes - pinpoint pupils, dilated pupils, red eyes

  • Beahavior

  • Search spaces - Parents have a legal right to check anything on their child… their room, their clothes, their bags.

• Special Considerations

  • Fentanyl-lace for other drugs and stand alone.

    • 1-2 milligrams lethal

    • 74,702 estimated death attrivuted to fentanyl overdose in 2023

    • Richmond County seized (2023 bust) enough fentanyl to kill 3.5 million people (15lbs) and arrested nearly 60 people

    • Kids are buying stuff online so maintain oversight of their finances

  • Don’t eat things not provided by a trusted source (school, parents, etc)

Gang Intervention and Identification

• 3 types

  • Traditional

  • Non-Traditional

  • Hybrid

• 2018 GGIA revealed over 71,000 gang members in GA. 1500 suspected gang networks. 157/159 counties report gang activity

• ID - graffiti, hand signs, emojis

• Gang Activity on school property - Engage or attempt to engage in gang activity (clothing, activity, etc), up to 10 days suspension

  • GA Law OCGA 16-15-4

Community Questions:

Parking lot attendants just at highschools? Yes

? Are substitute teachers trained in active shooter drills? 

• Every employee participates in drills

• Volunteers can participate - contact schools

• Implementing Alarms on lanyard that connect to sound system

? A sub said she’s never received active attacker training and that she knows of at least 5 other subs that have never received training. 

Response: There’s a safety folder/plan for each class and admin should show you where that is

That is not happening. There is no time for that. We should have a standard plan and training so we know what to do. We need a better plan/policy.

Response: Let’s talk more after this.

? I know several parents who are having trouble with bullying and the administration isn’t doing anything. The parents feel like there is nothing happening.

Response: It has to be reported to the school and then the investigations take time. 

? Can we have a QR code or something to report incidents as well as the tip line?

Response: Most students will email a trusted adult

? What is the role of the school administrator when there is a threat?

Response: Each school has a Red Book/Emergency Book with procedures.

Parent doesn’t think admin is reading the book.

? Why are students who made threats allowed back into the school after making a threat, even when they are being charged with a crime? Why aren’t the sent to the alternative school?

Response: We use progressive discipline based on the code of conduct. School rules and law act in different ways. Each student has due process, a fair process and hearings.

So we are protecting the children making the threat rather than protecting the children who aren’t a threat?

Response: Everyone is given due process.

Juvenile court judge

• Courts are reactionart. Complaint to police —>charged—->court

• Intake officers make the decision to charge based on guidelines and investigation

• Temporarily children held at Richmond County Youth Detention Center (males) or Wilkes County Detention Center (females). Long term holding is in Rome, GA or Gainesville, GA. There are limited beds so those are reserved for the more risky juveniles.

• Columbia County is an independent court so there is more freedom in how to maneuver

Parent still had more comments/questions but they ended the meeting and finished the discussion after the meeting.