Is the idea of Police officers in schools still stupid?

[Kimberly]

Lousy Freeper Troll Alert

TPaine7 (4,279 posts)

Is the idea of Police officers in schools still stupid?
Last edited Wed Jan 16, 2013, 12:56 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1)

One of President Obama's initiatives:

- Give $150 million to school districts and law enforcement agencies to hire school resource officers, school psychologists, social workers, and counselors. This would put up to 1,000 new school resource officers - specially trained police officers who work in schools - and school counselors on the job.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/about/tribune-search/sns-rt-us-usa-guns-factboxbre90f156-20130116,0,1056231.story

"Liberal" gun control will never be taken seriously when a basic concept, like armed police in schools, is stupid when suggested by the NRA and smart when suggested by Clinton or Obama.

Cognitive dissonance on display:

Squinch (1,473 posts)
1. Is gun control "liberal?" I hadn't realized.
<eyeroll>

Comrade_McKenzie (1,898 posts)
2. It was only stupid when it was the sole proposal... and not part of a broader package. nt

 

PDJane (8,299 posts)
5. Personally, I think it's useless pandering when promoted by either side.

It's a waste of money, a fine way to produce really obedient children with a fear of thought, and it's not going to solve the problem of gun violence. So, what was your point again???

 

JaneyVee (2,138 posts)
7. I think using police in school is a stupid idea, but everyone I know on the Left has been for

armed security guards from the beginning.

Liar!

Lex (31,801 posts)
9. "specially trained police officers who work in schools"

does that say "armed" ?

 

Maybe they'll be armed with beanbags like Brian Terry.

 

jberryhill (27,841 posts)
15. "One size fits all" solutions are almost always stupid


The NRA calling for an armed yahoo in every school, and having specifically trained officials in schools where it is deemed appropriate, are two different things.

There are schools which need, and have, armed officers in them already

 

 

Robb (36,586 posts)
28. "...And school counselors." Did you stop reading at "police"?

Idiot districts might choose cops. The rest of us will happily take cash for additional school psychologists, social workers, and counselors.

 

Earth_First (10,427 posts)
32. It's too bad that the NRA has taken over the gun control debate at Democratic Underground...

I served on the jury just now on this thread and it was voted 2-4 to LEAVE IT when the majority of those responding to this thread oppose militarizing our schools.

TPaine7 (4,279 posts)
44. This is a depressing trend on DU. The ideologues here are so "pure" in their "liberalism" that they

Last edited Wed Jan 16, 2013, 01:48 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1)

will try to shut you down for AGREEING WITH OUR DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT that having police in schools to stop shootings is a good idea.

Look who shows up with a personal ancedote:

HockeyMom (10,040 posts)
33. It didn't work in Florida where I worked

The Deputies didn't stop gun toting criminals from coming on campus.

 

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

HockeyMom (10,040 posts)
33. It didn't work in Florida where I worked

The Deputies didn't stop gun toting criminals from coming on campus.

But new law would?

[DLR Pyro]

I can just imagine the ever expanding roles of a "school resource officer"  .  That broadbrush term can be used to describe someone who does everything from resolving parking lot disputes to passing out condoms to "at risk" yutes.

[ColonelCarrots]

Would create more jobs.

[FlaGator]

It's amusing to see the hoops they will jump through to agree with something they first panned when one of their idols proposes the same idea.

[IassaFTots]

My school district has School Resources Officers.  

School Resource Officers are local police officers who work in the schools in a proactive capacity. Their jobs are three-fold; they are educators, counselors, and police officers.

Working with students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, they help them learn about the legal system and personal safety, show positive alternatives to drugs and violence, and work to keep the schools a safe haven for everyone.

To be fair, I think they are primarily working to prevent the gang issue from getting out of hand here.  I will say that I see the police car at the middle school I live by when I get home after 6 pm.  

[ColonelCarrots]

Both elementary schools I went to had school resource officers. They would teach anti-drug, weapon safety, and things like that, and it was called G.R.A.D.E.. Why not turn a safety precaution into an educational one?

[catsmtrods]

If not for their double standard they would have no standards at all!

[JohnnyReb]

If not for their double standard they would have no standards at all! Gloom despair and agony on me.

[delilahmused]

Would create more jobs.

And more union members...bet they didn't think of that!

Cindie

[BEG]

My school district has School Resources Officers.  

To be fair, I think they are primarily working to prevent the gang issue from getting out of hand here.  I will say that I see the police car at the middle school I live by when I get home after 6 pm.  

When we lived in the DFW area there was a police officer at the middle school and high school all day every day. We didn't live in a gang area at all. With the elementary and middle school you had to go through the office to get into the school as the regular doors were locked during the day except when the kids were coming or leaving school.  These were all new schools so I'm not sure if the architects are getting smarter with school design or what.

[JohnnyReb]

All this will do nothing to stop a massacre.

My sons school has all the exit doors locked against outside entry but state law/fire marshall says they have to open outwardly and be able to be opened from the inside. Kids are always opening the doors to let someone in.

I don't want to post ideas for idiots but I'm sure all of you can or could plan a successful attack on a school even with an armed police officer.

[DumbAss Tanker]

If not for their double standard they would have no standards at all!

H5!

...And how right you are.

 

[ColonelCarrots]

I think the illusion of higher security might scare some people.

[IassaFTots]

I think the illusion of higher security might scare some people.

At the very least, it would make some people think twice. 

[delilahmused]

I heard on a talk show, not too long after this happened...Lars Larson I think, about having retired military and police volunteers for this job. Give them some training. I doubt you'd have a hard time finding volunteers in most places...the majority of these guys (to lurking DUmmies...I mean the collective guys...women can do it too) probably have grandchildren and/or nieces and nephews. It'd be great for them and great for the kids.

Cindie

[ColonelCarrots]

At the very least, it would make some people think twice. 

Yeah thats what I meant.

[Jasonw560]

So he wants to throw more money at the problem. $150 million.

To be truly effective, you would need one "resource officer" for every campus. Not district....campus.

Here's a quick breakdown.

My local district (town of 75K people):

18 Elementary schools

5 middle schools

5 high schools

1 ninth grade "academy"

If each officer was paid $40K, which is about average with LE experience, then for this ONE district, it would be $1,116,000. Per year. Imagine the cost for some city like San Antonio, with 4 or 5 districts, and probably 10-15 schools in each district.

[IassaFTots]

So he wants to throw more money at the problem. $150 million.

To be truly effective, you would need one "resource officer" for every campus. Not district....campus.

Here's a quick breakdown.

My local district (town of 75K people):

18 Elementary schools

5 middle schools

5 high schools

1 ninth grade "academy"

If each officer was paid $40K, which is about average with LE experience, then for this ONE district, it would be $1,116,000. Per year. Imagine the cost for some city like San Antonio, with 4 or 5 districts, and probably 10-15 schools in each district.

Y'all don't already have them down there?  We do, all over up here???  Shoot, I did when I was in school.  Back in the olden days when I walked 2 miles up hill.  Both ways. 

[thundley4]

Y'all don't already have them down there?  We do, all over up here???  Shoot, I did when I was in school.  Back in the olden days when I walked 2 miles up hill.  Both ways. 

I don't think I ever saw any police officer at my school for any reason.

[JohnnyReb]

Y'all don't already have them down there?  We do, all over up here???  Shoot, I did when I was in school.  Back in the olden days when I walked 2 miles up hill.  Both ways. 

Didn't need 'em back in my day.....we had the pledge, a devotional, a prayer evry morning and the teachers would whip your ass in a skinny minute.

[wasp69]

I heard on a talk show, not too long after this happened...Lars Larson I think, about having retired military and police volunteers for this job. Give them some training. I doubt you'd have a hard time finding volunteers in most places...the majority of these guys (to lurking DUmmies...I mean the collective guys...women can do it too) probably have grandchildren and/or nieces and nephews. It'd be great for them and great for the kids.

Cindie

I'd do it.

[wasp69]

Didn't need 'em back in my day.....we had the pledge, a devotional, a prayer evry morning and the teachers would whip your ass in a skinny minute.

Yep.  Never occurred to any of us to bring a loaded firearm into school and shoot someone.