Violence, Vandalism, Weapons, Substance: Drop Statewide, Up Countywide

TRENTON — While incidents of violence, vandalism, weapons and substance reported in schools have decreased statewide over the past two school years, in Cape May County reports of those incidents have increased slightly over the same period.
According to a release, the Department of Education’s (DOE) annual report to the Legislature reveals a 5-percent decline in the total number of incidents reported between the 2006-07 and 2007-08 school years, from 18,892 to 17,922. Individual offense categories that experienced major declines include: violence at 5 percent, vandalism at 11 percent and weapons at 14 percent.
“It is encouraging to see a continued decline of violent incidents and vandalism in New Jersey’s public schools,” said Education Commissioner Lucille Davy. “The state is systematic in its efforts to team with local school districts and law enforcement among others to identify and prevent violent or destructive behavior, and to help students at all ages make positive life choices.”
In this county’s 17 school districts, incidents increased from 272 during 2006-07 to 283 incidents last year. Broken down, local incidents included: violence, 166; vandalism, 36; weapons, 10; and substance, 74. In the previous year’s report, the breakdown was: violence, 148; vandalism, 36; weapons, 15; and substance, 77.
Districts are required to report incidents if they occur on school grounds during school hours, on a school bus or at a school-sponsored event.
Figures indicate that Ocean City schools have the biggest violence problem and Wildwood schools have the biggest drug problem.
In the latest report, Ocean City had 58 incidents of violence followed by Lower Cape May Regional (LCMR) with 33 and Middle Township with 31. The most frequent types of reported violence include fights, simple assaults and incidents of HIBT (Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, Threat).
Regarding substance incidents, Wildwood lodged 23 while LCMR had 16 and Ocean City reported 13 incidents. According to the report, a majority of substance incidents involve use followed by possession and distribution.
Dr. Gladys Lauriello, principal of Wildwood High School, said her staff has a strong philosophy focusing on keeping students safe.
“The Wildwood community recognizes that drug and alcohol abuse has become a problem for some students today,” she said. “We see it more as a health issue than a discipline issue.”
According to Lauriello, the school aims to identify students with problems through testing and to get them help.
Teachers and staff have training in identifying those under the influence. When kids are identified, they are separated from the school for a short period so the family can deal with the problem. The school works with Cape Assist and Cape Counseling for treatment of students with substance abuse issues.
The school also has a full time counselor to help students and runs an educational program in health classes. It also runs special programs to highlight the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse such as last May’s program from the Lozier family, who recently lost their son Craig to an impaired driver.
After last year’s report was released, County Executive Superintendent of Schools Terrence Crowley attributed the reduction in incidents to certain preventative measures taken by the districts.
“School Resource Officers and guidance counselors have reached out to kids and teachers to identify potential incidents and prevent them before they become real problems,” Crowley said. “Schools used to be just reactionary to these incidents.”
He also noted that the incidents have become a focus for local boards of education.
“When these incidents become a focus, things are improved,” he said.
“The safety and security of our school children is one of our highest priorities,” said Governor Corzine in a release. “These results demonstrate how we are working to ensure that students and teachers throughout the state have an environment that is conducive to learning and free from violence and other aggressive actions.”
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