Cops in Schools

I absolutely love the idea of having cops in our schools.  The violence I have seen in recent years at high schools throughout our city has convinced me that not only are the officers a "smart move" but placing then inside schools is a "necessary move".  In my 9 years in this industry I have seen children who were gunned down at their school, stabbed and stalked, their families even targeted for the most ridiculous reasons.  We need officers in our schools! 

 

I know what you might be thinking, 'you're a reporter you see bad things all of the time and that is likely tainting your opinion'.  Even high school students are probably thinking 'this old chick has no clue when it comes to high school life'.  But it wasn't that long ago that I was one of those 'high schoolers'.  I remember my high school years vividly.  I remember finding out that one of my long-time friends and a kid who went to a nearby school was stabbed to death in a public place by someone we all knew.  I remember coming to school to find out that one of my classmates had been gunned down in front of her little brother while she babysat him in their family's apartment.  The shooter, a schoolmate I had known for years. 

 

I too was one of those "don't let 'the man' control you" type of youth.  I hated having police officers around because, in my mind, they wanted to bust everyone under the age of 18 and it seemed like they only wanted to bother minorities.  With all of the people trying to 'control' us as teenagers, I truly understand why having police officers inside schools would intimidate students, and make them feel like they're being watched, scrutinized and disrespected. 

 

However I believe Toronto Police when they say the program is about reaching out to students and building relationships rather than policing teens.  I can't help but wonder if my friend and schoolmate would be alive today if we had officers in our schools that we could trust and turn to.