Armed Police to Roam Toronto High Schools
Michele Henry & Kristin Rushowy, Toronto Star
June 24, 2008
Contrary to comments made yesterday by the Toronto school board chair, police officers roaming the halls of Toronto’s high schools this fall will not only be uniformed, they’ll also be armed, Chief Bill Blair said today.
“Quite frankly, as you can probably guess by my constant appearance, I believe in police officers in uniform,” he told a press conference this morning.
“I want the people of Toronto to see their police. I want them to have a relationship with the entire police service that is based on trust and respect. And my police officers are armed.”
His comments were in direct contrast to school board chair John Campbell, who said yesterday that in a bid to improve safety and build relationships with teens, police will set up an office in several high schools around the city but their presence will be “casual and low-key.”
“I think we’re going to have guys in blue slacks and golf shirts meeting with kids, and talking to kids, and doing community development,” he said.
But Blair said no officers of his will be wandering around in golf shirts and jeans.
Last month, the Toronto board approved an action plan in response to a January report by a safety panel looking into conditions in the city’s public schools.
That panel, headed by lawyer Julian Falconer, was struck following the shooting death of 15-year-old Jordan Manners at C.W. Jefferys high school in May 2007.
Included in the board’s action plan was a call for “positive police interactions with students in school buildings,” and a way to establish a friendly police presence, as well as boost security.
Campbell estimated more than 20 public high schools, and five or six Catholic schools, will take part.
The police chief, however, was tight-lipped about details of exactly how officers will work and interact with staff and students from Toronto’s public and Catholic schools, but did say he looks forward to staffing as many schools as possible.
Blair said he does not want to create a perception that officers will only be gracing the halls of problem schools, because there is no such thing, he said, as a “bad school.” In addition to keeping the peace at schools, he said officers will create safety and anti-racism programs.
“I do not intend to have my police officers be hall monitors,” he said. “For us it’s not only about keeping the schools safe but about building relationships with all those young people.”
Trustee Josh Matlow said he received a call last week asking if he’d be open to having such an office in one of his secondary schools.
“Some people have an issue, whether ideologically or out of fear, of having police stationed at a school,” said Matlow.
“If you get past that, functionally, I think it’s a great idea. . . This is a proactive and preventative tool.”
Source | See Also: In the new Canada, we are all wards of the state | Police say they use Tasers on non-violent people | Machine Gun-Toting Officers To Patrol NYC Subway | Fascist America, in 10 easy steps
June 25th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
hmmmm…. a gang with guns is supposed to stop gangs with guns from committing crime in school…
June 25th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
This is NOT to form a “relationship with students” this is to instill FEAR in kids and to OBEY no matter what or they will get tasered or worse, shot by police. THERE IS NO REASON TO INSTALL POLICE IN SCHOOLS!!! Whats next? Put them in each persons home? There just may be a domestic violence insure so best to have one fully armed in the house. NOT. Police STATE anyone? This is to get the kids used to having NO FREEDOM and they will be arrested or worse if they talk back or don’t IMMEDIATELY do as they are told. Conditioning, mind control, etc… thats what the PUBLIC schools have always been. But, it is always spun as SOMETHING GOOD. You will be secure and safe, yeah, right!!!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
YOU are the subjects, WE (The Government) are your Masters. Get used to it.
June 26th, 2008 at 12:13 am
Did anyone else witness teachers shaming students in order to enforce compliance? Ever wonder where bullies learn their trade?
If schools are so dangerous that armed police officers are required, then why isn’t home schooling being rigorously encouraged? If you can get passed (ignore) that ideology, then you are readily conditioned to accept the police state.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:50 am
Like a boot stomping on your head forever and ever. These so called public servants need to be put back in their cages now!! ENOUGH!!
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:11 am
Great information! Thanks for writing this. It is an honor to participate in the discussion.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
what schools
September 16th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
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September 2nd, 2010 at 6:22 am
I have to say I would feel comforted knowing there were armed police at my sons school. There’s too much aggression amongst young people these days and as a parent I find it quite frightening.