Pubdate: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 Source: Sentinel (Fairmont, MN) Copyright: 2008 The Sentinel Contact: http://fairmontsentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4731 Author: Jason Scott, Sentinel Reporter, Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS IN FOCUS Cumberland Valley High School students are not so sure the district needs to spend the money on a school resource officer. Since about mid-summer, schools officials have been discussing the idea with Silver Spring Township, which would entail assigning a uniformed township police officer to the district. "An SRO would help with activity that is criminal in nature, but also would have a piece of his or her job that is community service oriented," said Don Brink, the district's safety and security coordinator. "SROs are more than police officers. They're also teachers, counselors and role models." Both Cumberland Valley and Silver Spring officials have said they see the possibility of adding an SRO as a deterrent to students who might be considering making bad decisions, would see the officer and think twice. "I believe it is a good idea, not only for the students, but the community," Silver Spring police Chief Jim Sadler said. "It can only enhance our rapport with the community." Senior students like Nick Luchetti, 17, and Ryan Rilo, 18, said they think Cumberland Valley could do without it but conceded that it could be beneficial for the district and some students. "Kids would be less likely to bring stuff in," Luchetti said. Last month, the high school was locked down on two separate occasions for drug sweeps by township police and the Cumberland County Drug Task Force. No information has been released regarding what substances the canine search yielded. Tracy Panzer, a district spokesperson, said the lockdowns were held in cooperation with law enforcement agencies and the district has been asked not to release the specifics. No reports came from the high school on any disciplinary action, and Sadler said no one has been charged to date. Several drug "hits" were reported following the morning lockdowns. Examination Needed School officials are concerned with the number of violations to the drug policy and wanted to send a clear message that drug usage will not be tolerated, Panzer said about the recent searches. Cumberland Valley's annual report on drug and alcohol violations showed that 47 percent -- 91 of the 192 Student Assistance Program referrals for high school students last school year -- were drug and alcohol assessments, up from 28 percent in 2006-07, when there were 45 drug and alcohol assessments out of 160 total referrals. "It is for the safety and well being of all our students," Panzer said, noting that the SRO idea was not based on drugs or the searches. "It was no one specific incident that sparked the discussion, but rather Don's belief based on professional experience that this was something the district needed to examine," she said. Crime is as prevalent at Cumberland Valley as it is in any other school district, Brink explained. "We are certainly not naive enough to think that any kind of crime that happens elsewhere can't happen here," he said. Lyndsay Busler, a junior, said she doesn't think the SRO "really changes anything." "I don't think it will make much difference," she said, adding that kids will still do what they have been doing in school. "It's a waste of money." James McDonell, also a junior, said the high school is too big for one person to be effective. As far as student safety goes, he said, the cameras around the school do a lot and counselors are available for other student issues. The school district has offered to pay 100 percent of the officer's salary and benefits for the first year and then half the cost for subsequent years, according to the township. The high school would be the main focus area for the SRO. That person would also be available, if needed, at other schools in the district, Panzer said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D