Today’s topic is extremely important to me and should be to you as well if you have children of your own.
As I mentioned in previous correspondence, the primary role of MPO Zelms is that of a “School Resource Officer”. He comes to work at Lynnhaven Middle School in full uniform, (including his Batman belt and a bullet proof vest) and deals with over 1200 kids ALL day – 5 days a week.
Besides enforcing any criminal activity in the school, he teaches classes about gang prevention and bullying, eats lunch with the kids and can be seen playing basketball with them during PE. After school, he coaches girls track and girls basketball, and gets anywhere from 50 to 100 kids to run with him a couple of days a week. Zelms’ goal is to deter crime and build positive relationships with the kids. He spends the majority of his time just talking to kids and acting more like a guidance counselor than a crime fighter although he has made at least 4 arrests in the school ranging from weapons charges to drugs, robbery , etc.
Were you aware that sending a threat over the internet is a felony? Please someone correct me if I’m wrong on ANY of my facts but I’m pretty sure I got this one right. With the horror of school violence that appears to be escalating, any time your kids gets a burr up his/her butt and threatens another kid using email, Facebook, MySpace or any other electronic media, it is quite likely that MPO Zelms or another officer in a similar role will show up at your house at 4:00am and take your kid OUT and before a judge. This is NO joke people and as parents, it is our responsibility to help our kids learn to deal with anger issues and of course the bullies that remain out there. Did you know that girls tend to bully kids more than boys and kids in middle schools tend to be more unpredictable??? Didn’t shock me but nonetheless, what is the world coming to?
The most compelling and terrifying thing I’ve seen in a while was this video he showed the class of an adolescent’s ability to carry weapons on his person by merely wearing baggy clothes. Take a look here but you might want to sit down first!!!!
I’m thinking that requiring uniforms in school isn’t such a bad idea after all!
Finally, not to panic anyone, but rumor has it that the state is considering REMOVING officers from the schools due to budget restraints. Can you say OMG???? I will let you know if I hear anything further about this and start my own petition to prevent this from happening but in the meantime, TALK to your kids, encourage them to go up and speak to their School Resource Officer about any concerns and tell your kids you love them! I wonder if the department would let me do a “day in the life” photo essay of MPO Zelms so you can see him in action? Can’t hurt!
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Wow That is so scary. How do we get all public schools to have a dress code. It sounds crazy but my opinion is that all public schools should have metal detectors and someone watching each student come into the door. That kid in the video didnt look any different than any other kid walking into a school…I dont want my daughter going to a school where that could happen. Even though there are police in schools this could still happen. Better to be safe than sorry!