Spot Valley High in St. James is one of the schools being targeted for support by the police to reduce acts of violence.
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Assistant Commissioner Glenford Miller, Commanding Officer for the Area One police
By Nakinskie Robinson
The Area One police say they are targeting four high schools in western Jamaica in response to the flare up of violence in schools during the last academic year.
Commanding Officer Assistant Commissioner Glenford Miller says school resource officers will be deployed to the institutions located in Westmoreland, Hanover, Trelawny and St. James, to help quell any potential flare ups in the new school year.
"Some of the schools of concern are namely in St. James, we have Spot Valley; in Westmoreland, we have Petersfield; in Hanover, we have Hopewell; and in Trelawny, we have Muschett," he outlined.
ACP Miller said the police have taken a multi-pronged approach to addressing crime in schools.
"We have actually collaborated with the principals and the deans of discipline at these schools, and have our community safety and security persons from the headquarters here and within the divisions, and the school resources officers, we have actually deployed them in these various schools," he said.
The intiative aims to change the behaviour of students and "to show them there's another way in which persons can actually settle disputes".
Concerns about violence in schools were amplified last academic year after there were increased physical altercations involving students and, in some cases, teachers.
ACP Miller said there is evidence that community gang violence has been creeping into some western schools.
With some students living in crime hotspots, the senior cop argued that they may witness violence and play out these incidents in schools.
He added that if a tough stance is not taken against school based violence, it could pose a threat to the future of the country as some students may graduate to a life of crime.
The police have been working assiduously to rid the country of gangs, he asserted, adding that initiatives like police youth clubs in communities and in schools should help in this regard.
He said the school cadet system, supported by the Jamaica Defence Force, is also seeking to curb negative behaviours and instill discipline in students.
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