2008 Woodie Awards
VT shooting prompts proposal
Butler County Sheriff requests armed officers in Ohio schools
Ann Koblenzer
Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: Community
"Because the university is our only priority it means we are able to provide excellent service to the community," Powers said.
Powers said that the department also has a community relations team, which has specific areas of the campus for which they are responsible for being a liaison. According to Powers, the purpose of this team is to communicate with various groups, address concerns, provide service and emphasize crime prevention and safety.
The Talawanda School District currently employs a SRO to patrol both the high school and middle school.
The proposal from Jones also has parents discussing the issue of armed personnel in schools. Anna Gray, a Miami Italian professor and mother of two students in the Tallawanda School District, said she is concerned that armed personnel will cause anxiety in students.
"It's not good for a learning environment," Gray said. "The kids go to school to learn not to be afraid."
Gray said she is also worried about the message it will send her children.
"I don't want my kids growing up with this kind of military state and police watching over your shoulder," Gray said.
Holly Morrish, coordinator of development and community relations for the Talawanda School District, commented on Jones' proposal.
"When they are trying to plan and budget for this type of staffing issue we would be interested in what type of options the state would have for funding the proposal," Morrish said.
Jones said he acknowledges that not everyone agrees with his proposal and that it would be expensive.
"It wouldn't be cheap, but you determine what its worth," Jones said. "It's really made people pay attention.
Jones said he wants people conscious about safety.
"I think we need to at least discuss it and (I have) people discussing it all over," Jones said.
Jones' suggestion still needs to be presented by a member of the Ohio legislature if any changes are going to be made.
Powers said that the department also has a community relations team, which has specific areas of the campus for which they are responsible for being a liaison. According to Powers, the purpose of this team is to communicate with various groups, address concerns, provide service and emphasize crime prevention and safety.
The Talawanda School District currently employs a SRO to patrol both the high school and middle school.
The proposal from Jones also has parents discussing the issue of armed personnel in schools. Anna Gray, a Miami Italian professor and mother of two students in the Tallawanda School District, said she is concerned that armed personnel will cause anxiety in students.
"It's not good for a learning environment," Gray said. "The kids go to school to learn not to be afraid."
Gray said she is also worried about the message it will send her children.
"I don't want my kids growing up with this kind of military state and police watching over your shoulder," Gray said.
Holly Morrish, coordinator of development and community relations for the Talawanda School District, commented on Jones' proposal.
"When they are trying to plan and budget for this type of staffing issue we would be interested in what type of options the state would have for funding the proposal," Morrish said.
Jones said he acknowledges that not everyone agrees with his proposal and that it would be expensive.
"It wouldn't be cheap, but you determine what its worth," Jones said. "It's really made people pay attention.
Jones said he wants people conscious about safety.
"I think we need to at least discuss it and (I have) people discussing it all over," Jones said.
Jones' suggestion still needs to be presented by a member of the Ohio legislature if any changes are going to be made.
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