Letter: Schools reporting violence
Classrooms across Long Island were empty on Thursday. Check our listings of delayed openings, closures and cancellations to see what's in store for Friday. Credit: Daniel Brennan
As long as school administrators continue to be the responsible agents for reporting school violence in their buildings, misleading and false reporting will be prevalent ["Defining school violence," News, Feb. 26].
I agree that the terminology on the state reporting form is not an accurate depiction of what actually happens. Crimes such as menacing and assaults are difficult to describe for even seasoned police officers.
The school violence form needs to be changed to make the sections more reflective of the "violent" acts committed. Additionally, the forms should be the responsibility of experienced security or law enforcement professionals not associated with any particular school. All too often, schools underreport violence for fear of public relations problems, and possible loss of funding. Using a professional outside agency would allow for a more accurate presentation of school violence.
Jim Kiernan, Holbrook
Editor's note: The writer is an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Briarcliffe College, former president of the Sachem school board and past director of school safety for the William Floyd school district.
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