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Peters Twp. High School sharpens security
"As the weather improves and we near the end of the school year with so many special events and activities, we feel this partnership with the police will add an additional level of safety and security in the building," school district Superintendent Nina Zetty said Tuesday.
Peters Township Council on Monday agreed to a request by the school district to post an officer at the high school. An officer began working there Tuesday.
Township Manager Michael Silvestri said two officers will alternate duty at the school. He said the district will be charged $31.66 per hour to cover the salaries of the officers.
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Silvestri said that the school district is looking into having a full-time resource officer for the district. This idea has been considered and rejected in the past, but he said Zetty believes there are now a majority of members interested in it.
The police presence in the building, according to the district, is the latest in a series of conversations and plans that the district has worked on with township police. Building safety audits were conducted to seek ways to improve security.
"This is not in response to any isolated incident or threat in our buildings," said Shelly Belcher, district spokeswoman.
On April 30, a Peters Township High School student, Taylor Christian DiBart of 117 Simmons Road, McMurray, was charged as an adult with a felony count of aggravated assault after police said he struck a fellow student, Hunter Braden, with a metal baseball bat at DiBart's home. The district was not involved and the incident did not occur on school property.
Braden was hospitalized with a head injury. DiBart is free on bond and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before District Judge James Ellis June 9.
In another incident, two Peters Township High School students were to receive citations following a fight in the cafeteria, May 4, township police said.
Robert H. Schmitt, 18, of 234 Marion Drive, and Raymond N. Santomo, 19, of 114 Breezewood Drive, Venetia, will be cited for disorderly conduct, police said.
Warzone : 5/14/2009
Why are our schools becoming warzones? They used to be places of learning, socializing, and gaining friendships, places of safe haven. How can we expect our children to be nutured and developing an appetite for learning, when a police officer needs to be within the building? Parents apparently have lost control of their children. Is it any wonder why charter schools, private schools and homeschooling are gaining popularity?
What Changed ??? : 5/14/2009
Answer - Parents !!! Children no longer respect or honor their parents and other adults,this trait has been taught to them at home by their parents. Thirty years ago , this was not the case . Children were taught to respect their parents, and all adults.
Police in schools. : 5/14/2009
I'm sure there is more to this story that what is being reported. It's a shame that the kids will remember the police in the schools, instead of the GOOD memories. I for one remember my high school days. They were good times where I made many friends that have been with me thru thick and thin. I hope many lasting friendships will follow these kids thru into their future and are able to reminisce about their wonderful school years. It is a shame that some of these kids don;t have RESPECT for themselves and their friends to act like NORMAL people. In this day and age I doublt the REAL WORLD will set them straight! God help us all!
Trinity had a cop at the high school for years : 5/14/2009
I graduated from trinity in the early 90's and Officer Harshman was there every day from what I recall. Times have changed. I guess Trinity was way ahead of the curve.
It's a good idea!!!!! : 5/14/2009
Some of you act like you NEVER heard of fights in schools before....This is not the first time and it won’t the last. Years before they just did not involve the police they just suspended the kids. Peters has had fights in schools YEARS AND YEARS before your precious flowers set foot on their school properties. I can remember several. These things are happening in other schools at younger ages. Good for Peters to be able to afford the cops!! I with they had them at my kid’s current school!
Cops in school : 5/14/2009
If teachers were permitted to disapline students there would be no need for the police to be in schools.
I agree it's a good idea : 5/14/2009
PT_grad, I'm with you 100%. Don't these overprotective parents realize that schoolyard fights have been going on as long as there have been schoolyards. 99% of the kids won't be bothered by the presence of a cop and the 1% that may try something will think twice with an officer on property. Relax parents, you can bubble wrap your homes when your kids get home.
pths security : 5/14/2009
wake up pt parents; from baby on to pths and into adulthood...you are your children/s first teacher. remember, teachers in schools are paid to teach, not to take up precious classroom time to discipline. why am i not seeing pt school board meetings on our local tv channel??? what is this township keeping from the public; let's get it all out in the open, please.
pths security : 5/14/2009
Officer Harshman must have retired from USC to work at Trinity. I graduated from USC in 83 and there were 2 ARMED GUARDS. yes, they had guns.
Back when : 5/14/2009
I was a boy, EVERYBODY got shot in the ass by a cop EVERY MORNING just in case you were thinkin' something ornery! Then, when we got home, we'd be beaten with a switch!
time out ; 5/14/2009 : 5/14/2009
maybe the the kids just need more time outs if that isnt the dumbest thing going.
