KISD Kitchen Sink Part 3

SRO and School Police Department Blog by Liz Ramos: Part Tres

* Language warning again

Complainers. Yea, they can be annoying. But complaining is an integral part of human nature and our divine capability to get shit done! Complaining comes with an emotional attachment. Therefore, not everyone will all agree. And that is fine! That is part of the process. (My debate teacher was awesome! I don’t have the tact she had, but I learned so much in the process. * She lit herself on fire in class one day. That was memorable!) Any who, complaining helps people process emotions and problems. This is why we have so many products sold on infomercials. The thing is, these products came from a complaint, that in turn formed a solution, that is now sold in Walmart. I have complained that I believe KISD board is moronic in thinking a school police department is something that KISD needs to focus on right now. Yes, we need policing of some capacity at schools. Yes, even though I don’t like law officials moonlighting right now, it is a temporary patch, and I’m cool with that. That patch needs to be pulled off asap and a reasonable solution needs to be found by people without a weird obsession or agenda and a drastic measure to fix it.

I don’t know what goes on every day at the school concerning the need for policing. I am assuming there is a credible need. I was a kid once, so I understand what goes on in middle and high schools. Hell, I was once part of the problem. Here would be my solution if I had my way.

1. I.D. System at all schools. a. Volunteers, teachers, staff, and students (Middle and HS students only) would all wear a visible ID card with a picture that is scannable. As far as I am aware KISD does not have this, if so, not at all schools. b. Visitors and guests need to provide a picture ID that is scannable and a sticker prints out that they should wear while on campus. I can literally sign in as Joe Shmo and walk up into a school and do whatever. Not good. (That was not a threat! I am just explaining the reality of how not safe access is for students and teachers at KISD.) c. When signing out students, scan picture ID into the system making sure this person is legally allowed to leave with student. d. This costs money, but totally worth it to make people accountable, transparent, and safe. I would try to find grant money for this.

2. Call system for all schools. For school lock downs, weather delays, bus/transportation issues, events, etc. Adding an option to opt-out or get email alerts.

3. Fencing around school campus. a. This is pretty standard at all the schools I have attended or sent my children. The only schools that didn’t have a fence were two very large high schools and, schools in the mountains (Mtns. make fences expensive and dangerous.)

4. Hire two SROs at H.M. King and one at each middle school. a. I have already blogged about my reasoning for this. Provide each school with an SRO office. Great place to drop off, "See something, say something" cards anonymously.

5. I would reach out to KPD, KFD, and the local hospital. a. Three times a year I would have the school hold a policing day allowing local KPD to visit schools and educate the young ones about policing. Bring a squad car, drug sniffing dog, or anything else to keep the kids interests. (I sat through way to many DARE thingies growing up I am sure KPD can spare some officers for these times.) b. Police aren’t getting the best of rap sheets as of late and they should reach out to the schools and show them they are here for the well-being of our community and there should be nothing to fear from our fellow officers in Kingsville. c. I would ask the same of KFD. Bring a fire truck in, teach kids about how to escape a burning home, what do to if you get hurt in the kitchen, etc. You now, life skills. d. Again, the same for maybe an EMT. Show up to the schools, explain the ambulance, what they do for the community, offer some life saving tips or tricks, etc. e. “It takes a village to raise a child.” Lord knows how many times I have told my children something and they don’t listen to me. I sound like a broken record. But, hell, when someone else says the same damn thing I say, they all of a sudden want to listen! What is up with that? Sure, I try to parent but, I can only do so much. We need to come together as a community to help one another. This is very important.

In order I would set up the ID system at all schools first. While I worked on the ID system I would be setting up for SRO’s. Third would be community involvement. Fourth would be fencing. This seems like the easiest, more common-sense thing to start off to improve our safety in any campus. Also add teacher development and training. Not an SPD. The last time I went to a school that did not have an ID system was back in 2006. KISD is over a decade behind.

Yes, parents need to parent their children. Children also spend more than 35 hours of their week at school. Some more if they ride a bus. Teachers are supposed to teach, not parent. But, the reality is, kids spend a third of M-F at school. Teachers become a parental figure. They even do try to parent. Someone needs to when they aren’t at home. I know it must be difficult for teachers to try when their student’s parent is unobtainable, but they must at least try. Is a bad kid a parent’s fault? Teacher’s fault? Who is really to say? Who knows what that parent is going through. My mom did an excellent job raising me considering the bullshit she had to go through and I ended up a juvenile delinquent. Let’s not judge and lets try to figure out a way to help. SRO could help alleviate the stress of teachers “parenting."

No offense to teachers, but I guarantee not one of your professors was like, “Y’all really going to enjoy teaching man! It’s like the easiest and best job in the world. Pay is awesome and benefits are endless. Boxes of tissues are forever in stock, pencils never break and glue never dries. All your students will be angels. Everyone is going to love you, and you will be perfect at your job!” No! It is a tough job. You do it in hoping students remember you and what you taught and passed down. You do it because it is rewarding in its own special way. You do it because you are contributing to the future of this world. Teachers know their students better than an SPD and can bridge that gap with an SRO.

Anyway, that is my solution to the problem. Seems like this simple solution has been used at schools for well over a decade. Could KISD get on board?

PS. My debate teacher was not injured in self inflicted fire. God, I miss her! You teachers may not know it, but we do remember you. You may forget it in all the chaos, but we do. Keep up the great work! I understand ya’ll deal with this every day. I just wish it were easier for ya’ll to voice your own opinions. I would love to hear them. What am I blogging that is wrong or right?