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
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His proposal is a reaction to the April 16 shootings at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and Jones said his concern comes from one person's ability to do so much damage.
"We can't just lay back and wait," Jones said. "We have to be on our toes and pay attention."
Jones said he sent his proposal to Governor Ted Strickland and Ohio State Representative Courtney Combs.
"My hope is to at least get people talking about security," Jones said.
Jones said he does not want children to be taught safety measures such as duck and cover, but rather feel safe at school.
"I believe school safety is of utmost importance," Jones said. "Students are our future. Students shouldn't have to worry about a gunman coming to school."
In the letter that Jones sent to both Strickland and Combs, he explained who could constitute armed personnel.
"This could be accomplished in a variety of ways," Jones said in his April 19 letter. "Law enforcement personnel could be required to be assigned to each educational facility. Another alternative might be to train selective school teachers/administrators in firearms and law enforcement techniques to the point where they can be commissioned as Peace Officers by the State of Ohio."
Oxford schools already have a police presence through School Resource Officers (SROs). These officers are assigned to schools to not only keep them safe, but to also develop a relationship with the students, according to Oxford Police Department Sgt. Jim Squance. "After Columbine many schools went to (SROs) not only to provide security for the schools but to build relationships with the students and act as role models," Squance said.
According to Squance, the Oxford Police Department's SROs build trust with the students by living in the community and knowing the students. He also said these officers send students the important message that it is OK to report something suspicious.
"I think the biggest deterrent of some of this violence is if someone will step forward … and deter the violence before it actually happens," Squance said.
Miami University already has armed personal on campus through the Miami University Police Department (MUPD). Lt. Andrew Powers of the MUPD said that their department is able to make campus safety their priority because it is their jurisdiction.
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