Thursday, May 06, 1999
Police and schools plan together to avoid crises like Littleton's
BY JANICE MORSE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — Even before two teen gunmen killed 13 people and themselves at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., two weeks ago, police and school officials throughout Butler County had begun sharing “what-if” scenarios.
But those plans have assumed greater prominence now, said Butler County Sheriff's Capt. Anthony Dwyer.
He anticipates that school and law enforcement officials who began meeting last summer will meet more frequently this summer and refine their plans for helping each other. They're also interested in helping students understand what to expect if a shooting or other major violence breaks out at their school, he said.
Officials are considering holding school assemblies where the sheriff's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team members would outline some of their procedures, Capt. Dwyer said.
“We feel that the benefit of educating them would outweigh the risk of exposing tactics. Besides, we're not going to tell them everything,” he said. “If they're educated about what to expect, it would make our operation go much smoother. There was a lot of panic in Littleton. The students didn't know what to do.”
Jon Weidlich, spokesman for Lakota Local Schools, said he has already seen two valuable results of last summer's meetings: increased awareness of police needs, such as floor plans of school buildings, and as an indirect result, the Safe School Helpline. The toll-free number, (800) 418-6423, Ext. 359, allows students and parents throughout Butler County to report unusual activity anonymously.
“I think (the Littleton shootings) have increased everyone's sensitivi ty,” Mr. Weidlich said. “Now, if they're aware of kids acting up, they're more likely to report it.”
Hamilton school officials are discussing whether to have in-service programs for administrators, said Lt. Scott Scrimizzi, the city's SWAT team commander.
Aside from that, he said, “We really aren't doing anything different.” Lt. Scrimizzi said the SWAT team has been working with the schools for eight years and sometimes does drills inside school buildings after hours.
Joni Copas, spokeswoman for the school district, said programs like DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) and GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) are valuable in making schools safer. She said that people who feel comfortable with police “are more likely to tell them about any concerns they have.”
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