KAM_Indianapolis
New member
Smart policy in my book. Don't think you'll see a school massacre here.
http://www.starnews.com/news/articles/guns0921.html
Board gets earful on gun policy
Supporters outnumber foes at a meeting to discuss proposed change that would allow IPS officers to carry weapons at all times.
By Kim L. Hooper
Indianapolis Star
September 21, 2000
They say there's support in numbers, and Indianapolis Public Schools police had it Wednesday night.
Those supporters told a School Board policy committee that the district's law enforcement agency should be armed full time.
Their voices, interspersed with applause and shouts, dominated a nearly 90-minute meeting before a committee that next week will recommend adopting the proposal.
Some said the policy is long overdue. Others criticized board members for even considering a change.
Hoover Baker, a retired IPS employee, told the committee the proposal is "maniacal," adding, "It's deadly and dangerous at its worst."
But many others -- including IPS police, teachers and principals -- said schools must be safe places to learn and work.
"Times have changed, people," said School 81 Principal Evelyn Tyler. At her Eastside elementary, a man was arrested after he threatened to kill an employee last year. An armed IPS police officer was assigned to the school for the rest of the year.
IPS is one of the few large urban districts in the nation whose officers aren't armed full time. The board is considering allowing all officers to carry semiautomatic Glock 9 mm handguns.
Current policy forbids most of the 87 IPS officers from carrying firearms in schools during classroom hours. Those not assigned specifically to schools -- about 20 officers -- carry weapons.
Most investigations at city schools are routine. The vast majority of arrests in the past two years have been for disorderly conduct. But there are more serious incidents, such as students assaulting students and teachers, according to IPS police reports reviewed by The Star.
Last year, nine firearms investigations by IPS police resulted in six arrests, including that of a 12-year-old boy at School 92. No students or police were injured in any of those instances. And there have been no incidents of excessive force by school police, IPS officials said.
"I hope it never happens, that someone comes shooting in the schools. But if it ever does, I want our police officers to be able to do something about it and not run down the hall and hide," said board member Donald Payton, drawing loud applause from IPS police.
Opponents aren't convinced.
"I am absolutely opposed to the introduction of guns in the school environment," said state Rep. William Crawford, D-Indianapolis.
Concerned Clergy, a mostly black ministerial group, also has criticized the proposal.
Greg Shemwell, an IPS parent and president of the Parent-Teacher Association at Broad Ripple High School, wondered if people opposed to the proposal have children enrolled in the district.
Shemwell cited a January incident at Broad Ripple, where his daughter is a senior. A 16-year-old boy carried a concealed gun to school, then attempted to reach for it when he was confronted by two IPS police officers and the principal. No one was injured.
Shemwell told the board he supports the proposed gun policy -- and school police.
"They're police officers, and they're there to protect and serve. Why send them into schools without the tools they need to be police?"
"Talk, brother!" was the appreciative shout from a uniformed IPS police officer in the rear, briefly transforming the formal meeting into a church revival of sorts.
Board members Donald Payton, Michael Brown, Kelly Bentley and Marianna Zaphiriou said the issue was public safety for children and IPS employees.
Of the four, only Payton has said he will vote for the policy, though the three others appear to be leaning in the same direction.
The board will hold a second meeting Monday and could vote on the issue at its regularly scheduled action meeting Tuesday.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact Kim L . Hooper at (317) 656-1494 or via e-mail at kim.hooper@starnews.com
http://www.starnews.com/news/articles/guns0921.html
Board gets earful on gun policy
Supporters outnumber foes at a meeting to discuss proposed change that would allow IPS officers to carry weapons at all times.
By Kim L. Hooper
Indianapolis Star
September 21, 2000
They say there's support in numbers, and Indianapolis Public Schools police had it Wednesday night.
Those supporters told a School Board policy committee that the district's law enforcement agency should be armed full time.
Their voices, interspersed with applause and shouts, dominated a nearly 90-minute meeting before a committee that next week will recommend adopting the proposal.
Some said the policy is long overdue. Others criticized board members for even considering a change.
Hoover Baker, a retired IPS employee, told the committee the proposal is "maniacal," adding, "It's deadly and dangerous at its worst."
But many others -- including IPS police, teachers and principals -- said schools must be safe places to learn and work.
"Times have changed, people," said School 81 Principal Evelyn Tyler. At her Eastside elementary, a man was arrested after he threatened to kill an employee last year. An armed IPS police officer was assigned to the school for the rest of the year.
IPS is one of the few large urban districts in the nation whose officers aren't armed full time. The board is considering allowing all officers to carry semiautomatic Glock 9 mm handguns.
Current policy forbids most of the 87 IPS officers from carrying firearms in schools during classroom hours. Those not assigned specifically to schools -- about 20 officers -- carry weapons.
Most investigations at city schools are routine. The vast majority of arrests in the past two years have been for disorderly conduct. But there are more serious incidents, such as students assaulting students and teachers, according to IPS police reports reviewed by The Star.
Last year, nine firearms investigations by IPS police resulted in six arrests, including that of a 12-year-old boy at School 92. No students or police were injured in any of those instances. And there have been no incidents of excessive force by school police, IPS officials said.
"I hope it never happens, that someone comes shooting in the schools. But if it ever does, I want our police officers to be able to do something about it and not run down the hall and hide," said board member Donald Payton, drawing loud applause from IPS police.
Opponents aren't convinced.
"I am absolutely opposed to the introduction of guns in the school environment," said state Rep. William Crawford, D-Indianapolis.
Concerned Clergy, a mostly black ministerial group, also has criticized the proposal.
Greg Shemwell, an IPS parent and president of the Parent-Teacher Association at Broad Ripple High School, wondered if people opposed to the proposal have children enrolled in the district.
Shemwell cited a January incident at Broad Ripple, where his daughter is a senior. A 16-year-old boy carried a concealed gun to school, then attempted to reach for it when he was confronted by two IPS police officers and the principal. No one was injured.
Shemwell told the board he supports the proposed gun policy -- and school police.
"They're police officers, and they're there to protect and serve. Why send them into schools without the tools they need to be police?"
"Talk, brother!" was the appreciative shout from a uniformed IPS police officer in the rear, briefly transforming the formal meeting into a church revival of sorts.
Board members Donald Payton, Michael Brown, Kelly Bentley and Marianna Zaphiriou said the issue was public safety for children and IPS employees.
Of the four, only Payton has said he will vote for the policy, though the three others appear to be leaning in the same direction.
The board will hold a second meeting Monday and could vote on the issue at its regularly scheduled action meeting Tuesday.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact Kim L . Hooper at (317) 656-1494 or via e-mail at kim.hooper@starnews.com