Violence Prevention: Securing Our Public Spaces and Schools

It was my privilege today to speak to over 100 members of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association (BCPCA).

The meeting took place in Wallington, New Jersey and was attended by police chiefs from the 70 jurisdictions in Bergen County, as well as representatives from the FBI, and the Port Authority Police Department.

The current president of the BCPCA is Chief Thomas Shine of the Old Tappan, NJ Police Department. Chief Shine, along with his executive board, is tasked with carrying the torch of the associations mission statement which is as follows:

MISSION STATEMENT: To secure a closer official and personal relationship among police officials in the County of Bergen; to secure unity of action in police matters; to elevate the standards of police institutions; to strive for advancement among all lines that pertain to the prevention and to the detection of crime and the promotion of police efficiency in general.

The Bergen County Prosecutor, Mark Musella, was also in attendance. As noted on the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office website, "as Prosecutor, he is the chief law enforcement officer of Bergen County – the most populous county in New Jersey and home to nearly 1 million residents living in 70 municipalities. Prosecutor Musella oversees a staff of approximately 265 personnel at the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (“BCPO”), consisting of Assistant Prosecutors, Detectives, and support staff. He also exercises supervisory authority over approximately 2,700 sworn law enforcement officers in 72 law enforcement agencies operating in Bergen County."

As the Chairperson for the BCPCA of Community Policing and School Security for the past 20 years, I share remarks to attendees at the monthly meetings, and have assisted as a keynote speaker at numerous conferences.

This month, I shared remarks from two of my newest published articles in The Chief of Police magazine, Volume XXXIV, Number 2. The articles were titled Mass Attacks in Public Spaces Demand America's Vigilance and Securing American Schools Demands the Preventive System.

Copies of the magazine, the official publication of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, were made available to all attendees.

Excerpts from the Articles:

Mass Attacks in Public Spaces Demand America's Vigilance

There are two significant reports by the United States Secret Service and the United States Department of Education. Both have been continually referenced in my school violence prevention assessments, articles, and keynotes since they were published in 2002.

Due to the courtesy of these agencies, I have distributed thousands of copies to law enforcement officials, educators and community leaders at my speaking venues.

The first report is titled "The Final Report And Findings Of The Safe School Initiative: Implications For The Prevention Of School Attacks In The United States."

The document deserves to be studied in its entirety but it highlights 10 key findings, which are as follows:

• Incidents of targeted violence at school rarely were sudden, impulsive acts.
• Prior to most incidents, other people knew about the attacker’s idea and/or plan to attack.
• Most attackers did not threaten their targets directly prior to advancing the attack.
• There is no accurate or useful “profile” of students who engaged in targeted school violence.
• Most attackers engaged in some behavior prior to the incident that caused others concern or indicated a need for help.
• Most attackers had difficulty coping with significant losses or personal failures. Moreover, many had considered or attempted suicide.
• Many attackers felt bullied, persecuted, or injured by others prior to the attack.
• Most attackers had access to and had used weapons prior to the attack.
• In many cases, other students were involved in some capacity.
• Despite prompt law enforcement responses, most shooting incidents were stopped by means other than law enforcement intervention.

It is important to note that although these findings were published in 2002, they are still a factor in attacks throughout America.

United States Secret Service / Second Report

The second report is titled "Threat Assessment In Schools: A Guide To Managing Threatening Situations And To Creating Safe School Climates."

This document also deserves to be studied in its entirety. But, for the sake of brevity, it highlights the 10 findings in the safe school initiative report and encourages fostering a culture of respect and breaking the “Code of Silence.”

This study also emphasizes that the primary purpose of a threat assessment is to prevent targeted violence.

Securing American Schools Demands the Preventive System

These are some of the principles of the preventive system of education, which is critical to reawakening the nation and must be cultivated in America’s schools:

• Teachers inspire admiration as they care for youth entrusted to their care.
• Teachers are respected as individuals with character, and motivate the same in their students.
• The edifice of the preventive system is character and its pillars, which include respect, responsibility, fairness, and citizenship.
• A vigilant presence is exercised to prevent inappropriate behavior and reward proper behavior.
• Improvements with behavior are motivated through kindness and respect rather than punishment.
• A collaborative and speedy intervention to warning signs takes place due to the educator’s presence and awareness.
• Educators influence through positive attitudes, professionalism, and approachability.
• Discipline can be as effective as an expression of disappointment or a reproachful look because the student admires the teacher and is loyal and respectful.
• Students are affirmed for their qualities and do not lose heart when mistakes are made.
• Students are encouraged to do what is right through the teacher’s patience, guidance, and understanding.

Note Well:

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Vincent is author of 275 articles, including his previous book, Listen To Their Cries. As a national speaker, he has addressed audiences nationwide on issues critical to America including ethical leadership, violence prevention, and crisis planning.

Photos:

1. Vincent J. Bove speaking the members of the BCPCA, Oct. 17, 2019. (Courtesy Vincent J. Bove Publishing, Photo by Chief Robert Francavilla)
2. NYPD at Radio City Music Hall, NYC, NY, Apr. 27, 2013 (Vincent J. Bove)
3. Students from Union City Public Schools during Vincent J. Bove character training day, Union City, NJ, Feb. 27, 2009. (Vincent J. Bove)

America’s Opioid Crisis: Empowering Student Ethical Protectors

America’s opioid crisis is continually making headline news.

The devastation that this pandemic has ravaged upon individuals, families, communities, and the very heart of the nation is heart-wrenching.

In recent news, Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, reached a tentative multi-billion dollar settlement.

This settlement involved about half of the states and local governments suing the pharmaceutical company for its role in the opioid crisis.

Moral Bankruptcy

Though my home state of New Jersey was part of the lawsuit, it is one of numerous states not party to the deal.

This means litigation against Purdue Pharma, and the Sackler family, who own the company, will proceed.

In a statement, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said, “Purdue Pharma has been morally bankrupt for years ... if Purdue cannot pay for the harm it inflicted (due to potential financial bankruptcy) the Sackler’s will.”

Opioid Overdose: Alarming Data

According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the overview of the opioid overdose crisis gripping America is alarming.

The CDC website shares the following sobering information:

“Drug overdose deaths, including those involving opioids, continue to increase in the United States. Deaths from drug overdose are up among both men and women, all races, and adults of nearly all ages.

“Two out of three drug overdose deaths involve an opioid. Opioids are substances that work in the nervous system of the body or in specific receptors in the brain to reduce the intensity of pain. Overdose deaths from opioids, including prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids (like fentanyl) have increased almost six times since 1999. Overdoses involving opioids killed more than 47,000 people in 2017, and 36% of those deaths involved prescription opioids.”

Police-Community Unity

There are many approaches required to mitigate the opioid crisis. These have been addressed in numerous articles for The Chief of Police which deserve a snapshot review.

One article titled “America’s Drug Crisis Demands Police-Community Unity,” and was the summer 2017 cover story.

In this piece, I stressed the following:

“America’s police and communities are being challenged to unify to remedy our drug crisis.

“An entire generation of America is suffering from the drug pandemic and we must unify to prevent continual heartbreak to families.

“As we rise to the occasion with moral courage, we must remember that the police and the people are one.

“We must forge iron-clad police-community partnerships to take back our communities from the drug pestilence.

“The reality of the drug crisis is a matter of family tragedies, heartbreak, and death. Our drug crisis also inflicts suffering on the morale our nation.

“We will be on the path to reawakening the nation when, as ethical protectors, we dedicate ourselves to unity.

“America is suffering, and we must all respond to take back the nation from the scourge of the drug crisis.”

Opioids: A Crisis Intensifies

Another article titled “Opioid Addiction: America’s Public Health Crisis,” was the winter 2017 cover story of The Chief of Police.

In this article, the following remarks I shared at a Bergen County Police Chiefs Association (BCPCA) meeting were shared.

“If America is to make any progress with our opioid crisis, we must educate and motivate our youth. They can be empowered to be ethical protectors in their schools and communities. Our young people are critical to turning the tide with this crisis. We must encourage our youth and give them the resources they need.”

My remarks to the BCPCA concluded with the following statement, which I believe is applicable across America:

“Complementing your commendable collaboration to address the opioid crisis, intensify your efforts to reach the youth through the schools.
Through character empowerment programs and opioid awareness initiatives, efforts to safeguard lives from this deadly crisis will be enhanced and positive results achieved.”

Empowering Youth as Ethical Protectors

America’s youth deserve our example, encouragement, and empowerment to cultivate tools critical to protecting themselves and society.

We must do more to stop the scourge of our opioid crisis. Let us have the fortitude to intensify the virtues alive in the hearts of our youth: character, courage, and community.

The unimaginable heartbreak taking place in families throughout the nation by the opioid epidemic can be remedied.

America will be on track to reawakening the nation, when we approach the opioid crisis with moral courage ignited through every facet of America life.

A full collaborative effort must include schools, law enforcement, medical doctors, counselors, mental health professionals, government leaders, the pharmaceutical industry, and recovery groups such as narcotics anonymous (NA).

Schools are critical for defeating the crisis and the efforts of our students is paramount.

Inspiring youth to be ethical protectors for their classmates, schools, families, and communities through character education initiatives must be our priority. Our youth are the heart of America’s resolve, and they are mission critical to eradicating the opioid scourge.

Related Article by Vincent J. Bove:

America’s Drug Crisis Demands Ethical Protectors

Note Well: This article was published as the cover story for The Chief of Police, Fall 2019, and distributed hard copy to police chiefs and law enforcement executives nationwide. It was my 14th cover story for the magazine, and one of over 44 published articles in the magazine during the past 10 years.