Another violent incident at a MCPS school

[Anonymous]

This is not new this happened with SRO’s in the school. This happened in the 2000’s, the 90’s, the 80’s, the 70’s… this is not new.

This is not a police matter

I agree the victim should not go to school with these kids.

If it’s a police matter, they get charged with simple assault, misdemeanor … no punishment and are in school next day.

Y’all are missing the forest for the trees

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
People are really just accepting this lunacy. Why???

Why not unite to STOP the violence and make schools safe again?

That sounds a lot like MAGA. hmmm

You are saying democrats don’t want safe schools.

No democrats know this happened before this year their head is not in the sand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And watch, these types of incidents will continue.

And more MC parents will tighten their belts and switch to private, or move to neighboring counties.

And next summer/fall, MCPS will announce another drop in attendance.

And they will pontificate, and tweet about it, and wring their hands, and wonder what to do about the corresponding reduction in funding.

And. Nothing. Will. Change.

We just bought a new place in Clarksburg which we thought was our forever home a few years ago and we are now seriously contemplating taking a possible loss to move out of MoCo. I can't imagine sending my kids to a school that has neverending violent fights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not new this happened with SRO’s in the school. This happened in the 2000’s, the 90’s, the 80’s, the 70’s… this is not new.

This is not a police matter

I agree the victim should not go to school with these kids.

If it’s a police matter, they get charged with simple assault, misdemeanor … no punishment and are in school next day.

Y’all are missing the forest for the trees

I'd agree that this isn't new (I was robbed in high school although it was less traumatic than this sounds), but if you both assault someone and steal something, that's a charge of robbery and it's a felony. I'm fine with the police being involved with that. I don't think it's a sign of crisis, but it's a serious charge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
People are really just accepting this lunacy. Why???

Why not unite to STOP the violence and make schools safe again?

That sounds a lot like MAGA. hmmm

You are saying democrats don’t want safe schools.

Will you both stop injecting politics into every, single, dang discussion?

DP

How can you ignore the politics? Local politics has a profound effect on our day to day life. We are where we are as a direct result of policies implemented and embraced by MoCo voters and politicians.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
People are really just accepting this lunacy. Why???

Why not unite to STOP the violence and make schools safe again?

It is baffling and a bit scary that there is not a consensus re: this. And the county is adamant that SROs will not be brought back as though it was an SRO who shot a kid in the school. Alexandria brought them back when violence went up and PG kept them all along. WHAT is going on? And if kids are not held accountable re: pro-social behavior, what will be their trajectory after 18? As a society we have an interest in safety for ourselves and in helping kids get on the right track before adulthood, both. Looking the other way is not working for anyone.

True

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
People are really just accepting this lunacy. Why???

Why not unite to STOP the violence and make schools safe again?

It is baffling and a bit scary that there is not a consensus re: this. And the county is adamant that SROs will not be brought back as though it was an SRO who shot a kid in the school. Alexandria brought them back when violence went up and PG kept them all along. WHAT is going on? And if kids are not held accountable re: pro-social behavior, what will be their trajectory after 18? As a society we have an interest in safety for ourselves and in helping kids get on the right track before adulthood, both. Looking the other way is not working for anyone.

The crime in schools reflects crime in society. Crime is up in the county; and it is also up in the county school system. Curb crime in the county, and you'll curb crime in the schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents! Why are we accepting this? God knows how much taxes we pay in this county and they can't even keep our kids safe?? Why do families of kids who do behave and want to learn have to deal with this? There's only so much we can handle.

Because that would mean that parents would have to acknowledge that their ‘progressive’ Democratic policies are not working. It’s tough to acknowledge that your ideals have led to this mess.

People will do what works for you their family and put their kids in private. And then keep voting for the same silly policies and politicians.

[Anonymous]

Hmm. So from what I understand, I am pretty pro-no SROs in schools, because the school to prison pipeline is absolutely a real thing, and I went to school myself and as I recall, the presence or absence of SROs made pretty much no difference to student behavior. Like, a group of kids plotting to mug someone for their shoes doesn't stop and go "I don't know guys, Officer Friendly won't be too happy about this!" Like, they already know they're going to get caught, or would if they were thinking about consequences whatsoever, and don't care. I really doubt the recent incidents are because of the removal of SROs.

However, kids should absolutely not have to fear being violently assaulted, not to mention be expected to keep going to school with their attackers. I feel sure that people more educated than me on these topics have come to some conclusions about how to handle the problem of educating violent students. Deciding they are lost causes that belong in jail at 16 is wrong, but letting them continue to prey on other kids is not acceptable. SROs aren't bodyguards and can't fix this, but what can?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents! Why are we accepting this? God knows how much taxes we pay in this county and they can't even keep our kids safe?? Why do families of kids who do behave and want to learn have to deal with this? There's only so much we can handle.

Because that would mean that parents would have to acknowledge that their ‘progressive’ Democratic policies are not working. It’s tough to acknowledge that your ideals have led to this mess.

People will do what works for you their family and put their kids in private. And then keep voting for the same silly policies and politicians.

+1

- moderate dem.

Unfortunately, the parents Who can’t afford to put their kids in private schools our rich families. Poor families have no choice but too put up with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
People are really just accepting this lunacy. Why???

Why not unite to STOP the violence and make schools safe again?

It is baffling and a bit scary that there is not a consensus re: this. And the county is adamant that SROs will not be brought back as though it was an SRO who shot a kid in the school. Alexandria brought them back when violence went up and PG kept them all along. WHAT is going on? And if kids are not held accountable re: pro-social behavior, what will be their trajectory after 18? As a society we have an interest in safety for ourselves and in helping kids get on the right track before adulthood, both. Looking the other way is not working for anyone.

The crime in schools reflects crime in society. Crime is up in the county; and it is also up in the county school system. Curb crime in the county, and you'll curb crime in the schools.

How do we curb crime in the county? With more police presence, which we need in schools via SRO. Clearly, there is an uptick in violence and mental health issues due to covid. We need SROs now, at least temporarily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not new this happened with SRO’s in the school. This happened in the 2000’s, the 90’s, the 80’s, the 70’s… this is not new.

This is not a police matter

I agree the victim should not go to school with these kids.

If it’s a police matter, they get charged with simple assault, misdemeanor … no punishment and are in school next day.

Y’all are missing the forest for the trees

You agree the victim should not go to school with the criminals. Got it. MCPS is on it. They will transfer the victim out tomorrow. The victim will be punished. The criminals will stay put. That's how MCPS handles these cases.
The Board of Education closed the schools for violent offenders years ago and now just moves them around. Multiple schools have in house probation officers. Students attend school with ankle bracelets. Victims get moved around and have to find new school, friends, transportation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not new this happened with SRO’s in the school. This happened in the 2000’s, the 90’s, the 80’s, the 70’s… this is not new.

This is not a police matter

I agree the victim should not go to school with these kids.

If it’s a police matter, they get charged with simple assault, misdemeanor … no punishment and are in school next day.

Y’all are missing the forest for the trees

I'd agree that this isn't new (I was robbed in high school although it was less traumatic than this sounds), but if you both assault someone and steal something, that's a charge of robbery and it's a felony. I'm fine with the police being involved with that. I don't think it's a sign of crisis, but it's a serious charge.

Theft of used shoes is literally theft of <$50. No it’s not a felony FFS!

It’s neither serious nor trauma but it does require discipline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not new this happened with SRO’s in the school. This happened in the 2000’s, the 90’s, the 80’s, the 70’s… this is not new.

This is not a police matter

I agree the victim should not go to school with these kids.

If it’s a police matter, they get charged with simple assault, misdemeanor … no punishment and are in school next day.

Y’all are missing the forest for the trees

You agree the victim should not go to school with the criminals. Got it. MCPS is on it. They will transfer the victim out tomorrow. The victim will be punished. The criminals will stay put. That's how MCPS handles these cases.
The Board of Education closed the schools for violent offenders years ago and now just moves them around. Multiple schools have in house probation officers. Students attend school with ankle bracelets. Victims get moved around and have to find new school, friends, transportation.

I agree MCPS should not transfer the victim and they often do that which is wrong.

BTW it’s not this current BOE that implemented that policy but many kids are moved to RICA or even to other 24x7 facilities. I’m not saying these kids rise to that level, they literally stole shoes.

But SRO’s still don’t fix that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not new this happened with SRO’s in the school. This happened in the 2000’s, the 90’s, the 80’s, the 70’s… this is not new.

This is not a police matter

I agree the victim should not go to school with these kids.

If it’s a police matter, they get charged with simple assault, misdemeanor … no punishment and are in school next day.

Y’all are missing the forest for the trees

I'd agree that this isn't new (I was robbed in high school although it was less traumatic than this sounds), but if you both assault someone and steal something, that's a charge of robbery and it's a felony. I'm fine with the police being involved with that. I don't think it's a sign of crisis, but it's a serious charge.

Theft of used shoes is literally theft of <$50. No it’s not a felony FFS!

It’s neither serious nor trauma but it does require discipline.

Well, not to nitpicking, but used sneakers routinely go for 75-100 bucks.

But let me tell you, I got mugged. As an adult. And I probably lost about 50 bucks in cash and my old wallet. I cancelled all cards. So at the end of the day, I was out 50 bucks plus the cost of a new wallet.

And it was traumatic AF.

The cost of the theft is irrelevant to the fear/trauma inflected.

Plus, layer in that the victim is a CHILD!!!!! And that victim deserves the respect. They should not have to sit in a class with or pass their mugger in a hallway.

In case you can't tell, the community is starting to get frustrated with MCPS' approach to discipline.

And for all the posters who are saying this is just reflective of the increased crime in the community: where do you think all those criminals in the community first started? They started with stunts like this. If we want to improve crime in 5-8 years, we need to teach these young men and women at the early age that theft and violence is unacceptable and has severe consequences.