For five years, the Auburn Enlarged City School District, the Auburn Police Department and the Partnership for Results have worked together to provide school resource officers (SROs) in our community's schools. The unique nature of the collaborative endeavor and its resulting success have earned national recognition for this highly effective program. It is critical to our community to keep this SRO program fully funded.
When the program began during the 2000-2001 school year, the partnership developed a database to track incidents of criminal and destructive behavior. Using the information, SROs identified problem areas, developed responses and measured their effectiveness. According to data, comparing the first year with the current school year, the bad behavior being targeted has decreased significantly in a number of areas: bullying (25 percent), crimes against persons (59 percent), drug possession/intake (71 percent), fighting (62 percent) and property crimes 46 percent
Despite these great results, the Auburn City Council may pull its financial support of the SRO program. This is neither a wise nor cost-effective move on the part of the council. Saving $75,000 now will likely result in greater costs down the road. An Auburn Police Department comparison showed that day-shift uniformed patrol officers have made 567 fewer responses to urgent calls from the schools since this program began. This translates into a savings of 1,000 person hours that officers were able to spend on other vital service calls.
The Auburn school board is strongly united behind this program for a number of reasons. Board member Judy Freeman cites the importance of being familiar with the climate in our schools so that problems can be addressed quickly and satisfactorily. The safety and psychological well-being of the students is an important component in the educational process.
Ginny Kent, another member, recently noted the importance of the relationship that develops between a student and an SRO. Although it begins in the school building, this relationship carries over into the community when the student meets the officer on the job during the summer or at community events. Chances are better that the mutual respect and friendship developed in the schools will lead to fewer outside problems as well.
#"The council should not be acting grudgingly with regards to funding this program. The schools are part of this community #- not a separate entity,#" states board member Kent Brandstetter. #"The SRO program does not simply help the students and people within the schools. Everyone in the community benefits.#"
Earlier this spring, an editorial appeared in the Washington Post (Sunday, Feb.7, 2005, page B08) about addressing school violence. It urges the Washington, D.C. school district to look to Auburn for guidance, specifically citing the Auburn school resource officers program. More recently, the Partnership for Results learned that it is a finalist for one of 18 very prestigious #"Innovations in American Government Awards,#" the so-called #"Oscars#" of government prizes, presented by the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
It is now eligible for a $100,000 grant to be used to replicate this successful program in other communities. Wouldn't it be an ironic shame if Auburn no longer participated in this highly regarded partnership?
Chuck Mason is a member of the Auburn School Board
Despite these great results, the Auburn City Council may pull its financial support of the SRO program. This is neither a wise nor cost-effective move on the part of the council. Saving $75,000 now will likely result in greater costs down the road. An Auburn Police Department comparison showed that day-shift uniformed patrol officers have made 567 fewer responses to urgent calls from the schools since this program began. This translates into a savings of 1,000 person hours that officers were able to spend on other vital service calls.
The Auburn school board is strongly united behind this program for a number of reasons. Board member Judy Freeman cites the importance of being familiar with the climate in our schools so that problems can be addressed quickly and satisfactorily. The safety and psychological well-being of the students is an important component in the educational process.
Ginny Kent, another member, recently noted the importance of the relationship that develops between a student and an SRO. Although it begins in the school building, this relationship carries over into the community when the student meets the officer on the job during the summer or at community events. Chances are better that the mutual respect and friendship developed in the schools will lead to fewer outside problems as well.
#"The council should not be acting grudgingly with regards to funding this program. The schools are part of this community #- not a separate entity,#" states board member Kent Brandstetter. #"The SRO program does not simply help the students and people within the schools. Everyone in the community benefits.#"
Earlier this spring, an editorial appeared in the Washington Post (Sunday, Feb.7, 2005, page B08) about addressing school violence. It urges the Washington, D.C. school district to look to Auburn for guidance, specifically citing the Auburn school resource officers program. More recently, the Partnership for Results learned that it is a finalist for one of 18 very prestigious #"Innovations in American Government Awards,#" the so-called #"Oscars#" of government prizes, presented by the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
It is now eligible for a $100,000 grant to be used to replicate this successful program in other communities. Wouldn't it be an ironic shame if Auburn no longer participated in this highly regarded partnership?
Chuck Mason is a member of the Auburn School Board
