From my inbox:
Dear Friends of District 150 Campus Police & District 150 Union Leaders:
On July 25, 2011 the Peoria District 150 School Board passed a policy which jeopardizes the safety of every student, teacher, and staff member in District 150. Policy 5:400, strips the Campus Police Officers of their authority to make arrests, break up fights or effectively do their job. Our Union needs your support and assistance to express to the school board members and administration the seriousness of their decision and how this will place the children’s safety, and your own safety, in jeopardy.
In the last couple of days there have been several articles published in the Peoria Journal Star pertaining to this change. The articles addressed the prohibition of the District 150 Officers carrying their firearm off duty, and changing the officers title. Additionally, the policy removes their authority and ability to arrest, which has not been widely reported. This is the most important part of the policy.
Under the new policy, School Resource Officers can detain subjects only without “the use of material mechanical devices” (handcuffs) and only after consulting a supervisor. I don’t know about you – but with the fights that I have observed at Peoria 150 the ole “Please quit fighting and come with me” routine doesn’t work well. A police officer has to take control of these situations. Sometimes police work isn’t pretty – but order is restored and the school does what it is supposed to do – provide an education. Students, who have lost respect for the educational environment and who cause major disruptions, do not respond to “please” and “just come with me.” Unfortunately, sometimes they have to be arrested, and that requires police officers.
Has the Board of Education forgot that in 2005 a 16 year old student came into Woodruff High School and shot at another student several times? During that incident a cat and mouse chase continued through several floors of Woodruff HS as students were running outside, running into classrooms and ducking for cover, all while shots were fired in a school filled with kids. The school district cannot say “I hope nothing like that happens here” as if they have only seen it on television. It did happen here! It can and will happen again! The difference is now there will be no police in the schools to respond. Because of the actions of the Board of Education, police are being removed from the schools. The officers that remain are being stripped of the authority to arrest.
District 150 Police have been on the front lines of school safety since 1971. Over the years the demand for services has increased, with the busiest year being the 2010-2011 school year. As Union leaders we are charged with protecting the safety of our members. Actions by the Board of Education have placed every teacher, custodian, administrator, teacher’s aide, secretary, and home school facilitator in jeopardy.
I urge each one of you to contact each school board member and oppose any action that would diminish the authority of the campus police department and urge them to improve the safety in the learning environment. Ask them – If a kid doesn’t feel safe in a school, how is he going to learn? If you remove the police from Peoria Public Schools, how are schools any safer?
Sincerely – Kasey Groenewold, Campus Police Union President
Kasey Groenewold, Labor Representative
Policemen’s Benevolent Labor Committee
The Journal Star’s article on the policy change is here. They report that the vote for this new policy was unanimous, except for Laura Petelle who was absent from the meeting, and that it takes effect August 15. Their reasoning? They said part of it had to do with “liability,” but most of it is touchy-feely, as you can see from these quotes from recently-reelected board member Debbie Wolfmeyer, as reported by the Journal Star:
“There is no need for (officers) to carry their weapons when they’re off duty,” board President Debbie Wolfmeyer said.
The officers’ job titles also were changed. Henceforth, they will be known as “school resource officers.” […]
“From my own perspective, we’re looking for a more student-friendly type of culture from the officers,” Wolfmeyer said. “The board is looking for employees to not only take control of a situation and keep our children safe but also to work with our children rather than just physically detaining them or making arrests.
“We’re more for a culture of trying to work things out with kids.”
All together now: Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah . . . .
Interestingly, this goes against the advice of some experts. For instance, a 2001 article in the American School Board Journal said, “The decision to disarm a qualified officer generally lowers the law enforcement standard and places students and others at higher risk. As a result, the exposure to liability could increase both for the district and for those who made that decision.”
I think the new policy sounds perfect for any school with a gang problem . . . so long as this is the gang:
the same Kasey Groenewald who was terminated from Dist. 150 employment but managed to keep a union job? I’d rather see actual police officers working with the schools than a group with a number of “wannabes” who often abuse their authority.
Unfortunately, the odds are that it won’t take long to prove that this new policy is one (among many) of the worst decisions District 150 has made. Board members and central administrators do not acknowledge that their job is to protect all students. In this case, the safety of 90 to 95% of the students will be sacrificed to create a “friendly” environment for the minority who regularly create chaos in the schools. This the new policy will prevent campus police from using handcuffs to restrain students until the Peoria police arrive. I can only conclude that all these board members and administrators have never witnessed the kind of fights that I saw during my last 10 years in District 150. Perhaps Debbie Wolfmeyer (who made a really stupid statement about talking to students instead of arresting them) should come down to reason with a student who is blind with rage–and that is what happens often enough to make this policy dangerous to all District 150 employees and students.
Wonder who is getting the kick-back for allowing the Vice Lords and Gangster Disciples to actively identify possible recruits who will now not even have as much as an arrest report on their record….at least not from the school. Does District 150 actually care about the safety of their students, let alone their teachers? Or is this just another example of the inadequacy and incompetence of District 150 administration? If it were feasible, I think the only solution would be to fire the entire administration and look for replacements with a mandate for student safety and refocusing on the job, i.e. actually educating the students. This latest move in untenable.
Wondering if Mr. Gronewald researched school turnaround to better understand what role his campus police officers should play before sending the letter. So much of what is happening is mandated by the DOE if schools are in a turnaround mode.
It would have been nice if he had some statistics to support his letter. What exactly did his officers do during the 2010-2011 school year and how did those practices work? How many “fights” did he and his officers “observe at 150”? Also suggestions on what role they want to play in the turnaround process.
I don’t want crime in schools, but this letter paints a frightening scenario. The police are charged with restoring order on the streets and unfortunately that’s not going so well. So…
Damn right campus police needs support!!! BEST OF LUCK to all of you and I will spread the word.
Hey CJ–don’t let these rubes on this blog hassle you! You deserve a break here and there. LOL
By the way-nice tan lines…
Blind people. Does the board not realize that there are at least 10 incidents at each high school per day that require the security officers to have to take action? 50% are very dangerous situations. They have notw put the employees and other students at great risks by stripping the officers of their authorities. Put 3 board members in each high school every day and let them be security. They wouldn’t last 2 hours. Take action to get rid of the full board before something drastic happens at these schools because of the stupidity of the board.
Have you seen the board? Of course they are blind ..Denny’s is open 24 hours.
Come on guys…
This board hasn’t done anything right… why get upset with them now? Just because the prison guards can’t carry their guns around after work, doesn’t mean the inmates will act up any more than they already are.
And WHY would you expect them to do anything positive about schools… they aren’t teachers… they aren’t educators…
Charlie, do you really believe that all would be peaceful if the campus police were eliminated? I’m all for a friendly environment–but right now it’s getting a bit too friendly only for those who want to break the rules and engage in arrest-free behaviors at school that would get them arrested on the streets.
Sharon: Crime is rampant on the streets of Peoria (but you know that). These very same people who will show up at school on August 22, could have more than likely been arrested over the summer for behaviors that they shouldn’t take into schools.
Once they get to schools, the schools are mandated by the DOE to deal with them a certain way.
If “they” were getting arrested on the streets (as you say) for certain behaviors, they wouldn’t need to get arrested in the schools.
The Police Union wants to cry fowl? In my opinion, the Teacher’s Union and the community at large should be crying fowl, because the wrong doers weren’t dealt with before they got to the schools.
Is this. Yup it is the same Kasey Groenewald who was fired and it was determined that he was wrongfully fired and was re-instated. Several years ago, Dist. 150 hired “real” cops to fill in. It didn’t go so well. Our campus police literally bend over backwards to not arrest students. It would be interesting to know how many incidents are not reported. I don’t think that the Peoria PD wants to come in the schools and deal with it. I bet there will be most arrests if we use their services. I agree with Sharon things will really get worse. If someone gets badly hurt, watch how the fingers point.
It’s a wonder how Peoria Public Schools made it before 1971; that is before they had a police presence in the schools at all. I support this decision, but not for the reasons that the school said.
I grew up in school district where there was an armed office on duty at all times. (I wonder how many of you grew up in this same environment) This gives the students a very negative view of police officers and a very negative view of schools. The schools become a prison where students are guarded like prisoners. They also get about as much respect from these officers as prisoners. I was never arrested or in major trouble. However, the police were arrogant and mean to the students. I learned to mistrust and sometimes hate police. I still have very mixed feelings about the value of police, and they rarely get much sympathy from me when they make pleas to the public. I was always taught as a child that police were there to help, but when I went thru high school I was given a very different impression of the police. That view seems to be fairly wide spread, and it seems evident by the hostility the police encounter from teenagers and young adults throughout Peoria society.
I believe that the problems that we are facing are a result of the breakdown of values, family, and faith. The problems that usually were handled by the parents before, are now viewed as law enforcement matters. Children are greeted by the militant arm of the law, instead of the loving discipline of parents. Society’s answer to this problem is more of the same. I think it is crazy to throw the same reactive solution at students, over and over again, and expect change.
I would be very careful with advocating a police presence. Remember that these “horrible” people will grow up to be leaders of Peoria someday, and those very officers which depend on public support might find themselves out in the cold. I would even venture to say they are already feeling the effects of this. Other than a few voices, such as CJ’s, there has been very little outcry to the loss of police in Peoria. In this case, citizens either have to protect themselves, or be at the mercy of the angry youth which have now have no respect for the law or police.
Thank you Generation Why. I totally relate to what you are saying.
Some of the same people who are posting here, supporting the letter from Kasey, fully understand how many youth are being treated and mistreated daily on the streets by police officers. For the most part every single interaction with a police officer for these young people AND their parents, have been negative and intimidating.
Even my children, who are not thugs and/or criminals, have questioned feeling safe around police because of interactions they have seen when police come to our home and interact in our neighborhood. It is what it is.
Emerge and Generation Why, we aren’t on the same page on this issue yet–I just haven’t seen the side of things that both of you have seen. I will certainly try to see the issue through your eyes. I do totally understand and agree with what Emerge is saying about the police doing their jobs on the streets. However, I believe there is a third entity that has to be taken into consideration–the court system, which generally mandates that these young people return to school as terms of their probation–that’s how they get back into the schools.
Hopefully Emerge’s children won’t find themselves in NEED of campus police. As a long time teacher in D150…..good luck with that. I have seen the best of students bullied and harrassed, for no reason. Many times those situations accelerate to a physical confrontation, wouldn’t you want your child protected?
Peo Proud:
Bless your heart. Thank you so much for being concerned about my children.
I also wish you and yours well.
This should make listening to the police scanner even more fun once school starts up. “District 150 police requesting backup.”
Can someone please explain to me if District 150 law enforcement are full-fledged police officers? Do they have some lesser qualifications or licensing than say, Peoria Police Officers? I would really like to know the answer to that before forming an opinion, but if they are in fact full-fledged officers, I would consider that an outrageous affront and absolute disrespect to police officers everywhere. Kind of like telling a soldier off the battlefield that he is no longer a soldier. If someone could clear up that confusion I would appreciate it!
Even my children, who are not thugs and/or criminals, have questioned feeling safe around police because of interactions they have seen when police come to our home and interact in our neighborhood. It is what it is.
I think most children have an inherent reverence for police officers. Mine do. So do a lot of adults. What’s wrong with that? Growing up I feared my Dad. I knew he would beat my ass if I screwed up. Looking back, that wasn’t such a bad thing, either. I think children should feel a certain degree of fear and intimidation when faced with certain things. That is how they learn to be responsible adults. In fact, it is a lack of fear and regard for authority that has created a lot of the problems we see today. Anyone else getting a little tired of this touchy feely crap?
Plain and simple, the District was right. I can not support the union. If they want to be cops or feel unsafe, quit and join a commissioned police department.
District Watcher, Yes they are considered full fledged police officers. They all went to Police Training Institute and completed the courses. That is why they can carry off duty legally. One of the problems with the district is they were called security, they are actually “real” police officers. Actually many of them work part time for other cities and towns. They have the power to arrest. If john q public and Uncle Tom were to go into some of the schools they might have a different opinion. I don’t mean schools like Mark Bills or Richwoods but lets say Greeley before it closed. I think most people would have been shocked. The level of disrespect for one thing. The students demand respect, but seldom give it. District 150 has been very lucky so far, but eventually everyone’s luck runs out. The trouble making students have issues that will be worse, and know that Peoria PD doesn’t want to deal with it, and they will not take the abuse that Campus Police PD does, or did. You drag a Peoria cop off the street and someone will get arrested. And if you are wondering, no I am not a campus police, but, I do know the good work that most of them do.
Generation Why, I have never given this much thought before but here goes. I have, on occasion, heard black parents threaten their children with “if you don’t behave, I’m going to call the police.” I specify black parent, but maybe there are white parents who do the same–just never heard it. I was quite appalled.
I fully understand why black people have, in the past, and even today have a fear of and/or lack of trust in the police–I am certainly not going to deny that there has been unfair treatment “under the law.” However, I was amazed that a parent would use that fear to discipline his/her own child.
From what I’ve seen of security guards in District 150, I do not believe that any of these individuals could have instilled any deep-seated fear of police, etc. I can understand that happening in big urban cities such as Chicago but not in Peoria. At least, in my experience many of the campus police have been people whom many kids already know. Also, I believe that District 150 security guards do have training that involves helping kids, not just arresting them.
“That is why they can carry off duty legally.”
If that is true, it’s difficult to understand how District 150 would have the power to take that away. I would think the state and possibly national police unions would want to weigh in on this. Did the District 150 Police Officers union get a legal opinion?
Sharon, I’ve heard white parents say that too. In fact, I’m trying to recall if I’ve ever used it or a variation thereof 😉
Until Board members and Central Adminstrators invest some serious hours in the school buildings instead of ruling from their “Ivory Tower”, idiotic decisions will be made and students, staff and the community at large will suffer. They just won’t listen. If more people would confront them on these serious issues maybe they would feel the need to listen. I commend Sharon, Terry and a handful of others that try to keep these people in check. Where is the rest of the village???
Most of you have NO clue what the Dist 150 officers do in the schools. If you dont know, then maybe you shouldn’t make yourselves look like fools by opening your mouths.
They go to the same police academy as the Peoria officers do and are state certified just like the street cops. There is only one difference between them…cars and schools. They are certified juvenile officers through the State of Illinois on top of being law enforcement officers.
Stats would help this is true. There have been countless guns and knives taken away from these kids.
Don’t crucify all cops just because you’ve had issues with one or
two.
Let me know if your one of your family members has ever been in a school where there has been a shooting. I bet you’d pray for a cop then..Same goes for when you are out shopping and a gun gets waved around..I’m sure it won’t matter then if its a school cop or a street cop. Times have changed people. Start pointing fingers at the parents for a change. In most cases, the apple doesn’t fall far fron the tree.
Way to go Kasey. Fight for what is right.
Cubbie- damn skippy! Keep fighting!
On my first day of high school, in California, we had a shooting and after that we had armed officers. I never once felt threatened or intimidated by them…wanna know why? Because I wasn’t a little asshole kid who did anything to get their attention.
Everyone is so worried about offending the bad kids…why not put the focus on protecting the good kids?
I have never been in a situation that involved the police because I was taught at a very young age that the difference between right an wrong is NOT blurred. I have always had a healthy respect for police officers. However, I have seen high school students throw punches at a campus police officer (wearing a gun)…where is this behavior learned….it’s not….it’s just stupid. BTW, I also feared my parents’ discipline of me at home…
Has anyone else noticed the paradox of CJ’s top two posts today? On one hand we have School Administrators undermining and disrespecting the guys slugging it out on the front lines (officers), and on the other hand we have County administrators giving perks and special oversights to their fellow administrators. All is well as the stomach churns in Peoria…
Have you seen the 150 administration? If the officers have no authority now are they going to step up? They look like the only thing they are prepared for is to be first in line for the opening of the Golden Coral.
@Paradox – Fortunately we have our crack editors at the Peoria Journal Star keeping an eye on these things…
Now now let’s not make waves! The taxpayers should not have any say-so! Let all of these organizations blow our money on their friends and family and skate out of town like they always do. And let the journalists keep their heads in the sand. It’s warm and comfortable down there.
You can be the best person in the world. However, some time, somewhere, one will come across the thugs who care about no one except themselves. They will hurt anyone who gets in their way and even those who don’t get in their way. It’s these times we hope and pray a cop in near, off or on duty.
The Dist cops have been screaming for more school related training. They need a differnt type of training to respond to a shooting. After all, they are responding from the inside..not the outside. Much of their ongoing training is street training.
There are school cops all across this county that do a great service to their districts. Research some of them and I think you would be amazed.
Maybe its time for the district to change the misperceptions of having cops in the schools. It can be a great thing. These cops are involed in the community. I just found out that they get involved in local charity events and even go to the hospitals and read to the kids. I also heard one of the officers does magic tricks for the kids at the hospitals. Where there is bad, there is also good. This goes with any thing in life.
Don’t judge a book by its cover! Not all of them like donuts!!! :O)
Crime in Peoria is down…here is the proof.
http://www.pjstar.com/free/x782941165/Three-reported-shot-one-stabbed-in-Peoria-in-early-morning-incidents
It’s sad when one can’t even be safe washing your car or going roller skating any more! Checking…Nice report :O)
100 cars seen fleeing from the scene of a Mossville skating rink. Was supposed to be a nice little Christian Center I heard. So, you give kids a place to go and they still can’t behave. “Oh, Mom, I’m just going skating with my gun.” At least it keeps them off of Thrush!
And I’m sure 150 will not take this incident into account when they vote tomorrow night. Police officers I am on your side. There is a growing number of juveniles carrying weapons and they are not afraid to use them.
Long Gone, please cite your source that there were 100 cars at the Palace Skating Rink? PJS article does not say that.
Cubbie, take another look at the times of the car wash & skating rink incidents, I don’t think this place was washing cars at 1 minute past
midnight; and I know the skating rink closes a lot earlier that 1:50 am
in the morning. If I am correct, it is still owned by a Peoria minister,
and I’m 98% sure he would not have it open that late.
Well, this must be some sort of freak incident. We all no that kids in Peoria are all the Brady bunch. They are never rude or violent especially in the schools. I always hear, “Yes maam and no sir”, never do I here “*uck you, you better not touch me”. So any problems in Peoria must be out of town people, like what happened in the Taft. I think they should disband the Campus Police. When someone gets killed, let the law suits begin. Hopefully it won’t be part of the teaching staff. This will be great.
Dennis
source of 100 cars..
http://www.centralillinoisnewscenter.com/news/local/Juveniles-Shot-During-Skating-Rink-Fight-127096798.html
It would appear that the skating rink was closed and the parking lot was the scene of this mob violence.
http://www.centralillinoisnewscenter.com/news/local/Overnight-Crime-turns-Deadly-127095663.html
Plus it says, all 3 victims were juveniles. Again, where are the parents? There is a curfew. Are these parents truly so stupid as to believe little Johnny is spending the night at their friend’s? I wonder how long it will be before the people of Mossville try to get this skating rink closed down.
Thank God it was done and you all just need to accept it. If you dont like it, take your children out of d150 schools. If you dont have any children in d150 nor live in this town,get a life.
Dennis of Peoria, I wasn’t speaking in just regard to that Checking’s comment! I was generally speaking. When was the last time you came out of your cave to see whats going on in the world? There have been numerous incidents at the car wash during all time of the day. Crime is on the rise everywhere. There is no time or day for crime. Relax and stop taking things written here as the gospel truth! We all know there are facts behind each side. No harm :O) We as a society need to pull together more.
To me I’d think it’d be a workplace liability of negligence for the district to employ officers expected to break up fights without giving them the protective ability to use restraints.(handcuffs) How many sucker punches can a rampaging student get in while being hauled away to the principal’s office especially if they know the officer can’t use handcuffs. Retraints can be as much a protection of the subject as for the officer. Just my $.02
Uncle Tom, let me know when you or one of your family gets a gun waived in your face. All I can say is, “pray hard.” As you recall, there has been a couple of shootings/near shootings at board meetings across this country. Why are you so naive to think it won’t happen here? Or maybe you just don’t care because it’s not your child or loved one. You sound like a good canidate for a dist 150 board member. Let me know when you run if you havn’t already.
150 cops are commissioned by the way. They chose this line of work because they wanted to help make a difference with kids. Several came from a department already.
checking for details, mea culpa on that; I don’t check WEEK’s website as much as I do PJS.
Cubbie, I am very aware of what’s happening out there in the streets, because I drive through some of those neighborhoods myself at least once a week, various times, seeing what I might get on video for a story. Of course, with the heat, high humidity lately, not many out there except after I have gone to bed. This week might be a different story, but let’s hope citizens get fed up with this violence crap and start snitching.
People are giving police information on crimes.
From what I hear on the scanner, citizens are giving police information when they call in the crimes. The car the shooter was in at the gas station on Main Street was described down to the type rims during the interview the victim gave the police at the hospital.
I know a person who had exact information on a serious crime that was taking place repeatedly. They wouldn’t even return her call until she called a council person.
Good luck to ya Dennis! You are right about folks being fed up about all this violence. Stay safe in your adventures, please!