Police in 1 Minnesota Town Set up Shop in Schools

[Caryh 5,206]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/police-minnesota-town-set-shop-schools-18625950

One small-town Minnesota school district is taking a unique approach to keeping students safe: The police are moving in.

In Jordan, south of Minneapolis, officials looking at school security after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut decided the police would set up satellite offices in public schools. Officers will conduct some of their daily work from the schools, including taking calls and filling out paperwork, while still going out into the community to patrol or respond to emergencies. The hope is the armed officers, with their squad cars in school parking lots, will discourage — or meet — any would-be attackers.

Jordan schools haven't had an attack or a problem with violence. But the plan proposed by the police chief received unanimous approval from the City Council and the school board, and it seems to have the backing of parents and school administrators.

"Sandy Hook had everything in place security-wise, they really did. But what they didn't have was a trained, armed officer at the front door," said Jordan Elementary School Principal Stacy DeCorsey. "We will have that the majority of the time."

Schools across the U.S. have been looking at security after the attack at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., that left 20 children and six workers dead. The National Rifle Association called for putting armed guards in schools. President Barack Obama proposed more funding for counselors and school resource officers, whose primary assignment is to work in schools. Some districts hired retired officers. One Colorado district asked officers to write reports from their squad cars in school parking lots.

Jordan's move is unusual, and police and school officials acknowledge the idea might not work for larger communities. But they believe it could make a big difference for this town of about 5,600 people that's about a 45 minute drive from Minneapolis. The district has about 1,800 students and all of its school buildings are on one campus.

"These attacks have been going on for years and still no one has provided any hope of relief," Chief Bob Malz wrote in a Dec. 27 letter to school officials. "Sometimes the best answers come when we stop listening to everyone else and take it upon ourselves to make common sense decisions based on what is right for the safety of our children in our own community. ... It's time for change."

The Jordan police force is small, with eight full-time officers, including Malz, and four part-timers. Malz said the move means the officers' presence at the schools will increase, and he estimated at least one officer would be on the campus most of the time, cutting response time in an emergency from roughly four minutes to 30 to 60 seconds.

Officials at the middle and elementary schools cleaned out storage areas near their main entrances and installed windows that give a view of the entries. One officer will make the elementary school his home base, and two officers will split time at the middle school office. At the high school, the principal is giving up her office by the front door for the police chief. The hope is to have the officers in place by early April.

The school district is paying the estimated $20,000 for modifications that include bulletproof windows. Much of the furniture was donated.

Administrators say an overwhelming majority of feedback from parents has been positive.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I'm not in favor of armed guards in schools, but if it's going to be done, doing it this way is probably the best way possible. At least the people with the guns are police officers and not the Math teacher. I can see this also helping to create a good relationship between the kids and the Police, something that could pay dividends in the future.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I'm not in favor of armed guards in schools, but if it's going to be done, doing it this way is probably the best way possible. At least the people with the guns are police officers and not the Math teacher. I can see this also helping to create a good relationship between the kids and the Police, something that could pay dividends in the future.

Agreed.

[Caryh 5,206]

I'm not in favor of armed guards in schools, but if it's going to be done, doing it this way is probably the best way possible. At least the people with the guns are police officers and not the Math teacher. I can see this also helping to create a good relationship between the kids and the Police, something that could pay dividends in the future.

To me its a win win situation. Tax payers need to pay for the school buildings and the police stations. Put them together and you probably save money on buildings. The police are just doing the job they always do, they're not guards just there if needed, so it won't be like an armed camp at schools. Personally I'd have no problem with the Math teacher packing, if he/she was properly trained. But I know many people are freaked out by guns no matter who has them.

[Teddy B 17,252]

To me its a win win situation. Tax payers need to pay for the school buildings and the police stations. Put them together and you probably save money on buildings. The police are just doing the job they always do, they're not guards just there if needed, so it won't be like an armed camp at schools. Personally I'd have no problem with the Math teacher packing, if he/she was properly trained. But I know many people are freaked out by guns no matter who has them.

I'm not freaked out by guns by any means, but I don't believe an armed society is the answer, nor do I believe it will lead to anything but more senseless deaths. At least this way the people that are supposed to be armed in public are the ones with the weapons. I don't think it's a healthy environment for children to be doing math problems while their teacher has a glock strapped to his/her waist.

[Karee 4,190]

I don't think it's a healthy environment for children to be doing math problems while their teacher has a glock strapped to his/her waist.

Why not? Could go along we to keep the little brats in line.

[Karee 4,190]

Why not? Could go along we way to keep the little brats in line.

fixed.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Why not? Could go along we to keep the little brats in line.

That's what tasers are for. Nothing says discipline like a 6 year old flopping around on the ground like a flounder.

Edited March 1, 2013 by Teddy B

[Karee 4,190]

That's what tasers are for. Nothing says discipline like a 6 year old flopping around on the ground like a flounder.

Right on. Never thought of that. I guess you if you outright killed the kid, you would lose government funding for that pupil.

[Caryh 5,206]

That's what tasers are for. Nothing says discipline like a 6 year old flopping around on the ground like a flounder.

Nuns only needed a ruler

[Teddy B 17,252]

Nuns only needed a ruler

True dat. I was raised in an Italian Catholic family, I spent many days with red knuckles, thanks to the nuns in CCD classes.