NCJ Number
138746
Date Published
1991
Length
59 pages
Annotation
This bulletin focuses on interpersonal violent crime in the school setting, defined as any crime involving physical harm or the threat of physical harm to a student or staff member on school grounds or at school events.
Abstract
The level of school violence has increased nationally in recent years, and a significant increase in the number of weapons in schools has occurred. The separate but overlapping problems of gangs and drug trafficking constitute major elements of the escalating violence. Despite their differences, all gangs have elements in common; they offer youth status, acceptance, and self- esteem. The large sums of money available from drug dealing have increased both the size of gangs and their age range. Assessing the extent of school crime is the first step in developing an action plan. Assessment should include the diagnosis of existing conditions, uniform school crime reporting, and the identification of problem teachers. Deterring violent crime involves making the target harder for a criminal to find, tightening supervision, setting discipline standards, training staff members in violence prevention, and emphasizing each person's responsibility to safeguard himself or herself against violence. Weapons can be kept out of school by conducting searches, preventing concealment, using metal detectors, and enforcing stiff penalties. Ways of controlling gang activity, dealing with crisis situations, preventing violence, and cooperating with the community are discussed. The importance of developing written policies and clearly communicating them to school staff and students is emphasized. An appendix lists gang prevention, violence prevention, and peer counseling programs. 44 references