Author: Bernie James

Safety Law News for September 6, 2017

In California, officials at the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District are implanting a new disciplinary program with Monterey County juvenile justice agencies.  “Advocating Responsible Choices” is basically a diversion program that relies upon school resource officers who make the initial…

Safety Law News for August 31, 2017

In Texas, Senate Bill 179 will go into effect on September 1, 2017.  The law requires school districts to include cyberbullying in their policies and notify a child’s parents if he or she is a victim or aggressor of bullying. …

Safety Law News for August 23, 2017

In Tennessee, state prosecutors say the failure of principals, counselors and teachers to report suspected abuse to proper authorities has become an epidemic.  State law mandates any adult with a suspicion or direct knowledge of child abuse must report it…

Safety Law News for August 18, 2017

In South Carolina, the school board for Horry County Schools replaced their school resource officer program after a budget struggle with the County Police Department.  Armed security officers hired by U.S. Security Associates will replace the school resource officers. In…

Safety Law News for August 15, 2017

In Texas, officials in Gregg County ponder responses to data on the increase of methamphetamine use and addiction.  School resource officers used as educators and mentors are the primary tool being considered to help deter students from the use of…

Safety Law News for August 9, 2017

In California, Salinas City Council member Tony Villegas speaks to the necessity of the local school resource officer program.  “In my opinion, I believe a lot of [opponents] have been fed misinformation or don’t understand exactly what the city is…

Safety Law News for August 4, 2017

In a national study on safe schools, each state was ranked based on numerous factors.  The states with the lowest percentage of injured and threatened students were Massachusetts, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Oklahoma.  The jurisdictions with the lowest incidence…

Safety Law News for August 2, 2017

In Tennessee, officials in Rutherford County are seeing a decrease in weapons-related offenses on campus.  They say that students have developed relationships with school resource officers, making them feel comfortable with discussing weapons on campus. In Wisconsin, the Madison School…

Safety Law News for July 28, 2017

In Minnesota, the head of the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office Juvenile Prosecution Division made a presentation in favor of keeping the SRO program.  The data show that since 2006, the program produced a steady decline in school crime referrals in…

Safety Law News for July 21, 2017

In Missouri, the Missouri court of Appeals ruled that the pat-down search of a student, pursuant to school policy authorizing searches of all students who arrive at school more than 30 minutes late, was unreasonable and thus unconstitutional under the…