LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / October 21, 2000

LULING – School violence in St. Charles Parish public schools has plunged sincethe 1993 Violence Prevention Component of the Safe Schools Program began.

Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools and Administration John C.

“Rusty” Walker reviewed the progress made, with a 62.5 decrease in acts ofviolence in schools, from 436 incidents in 1993-1994 term to 159 in 1999- 2000.

The program, working in cooperation with the sheriff’s office, district judges and district attorney, targets middle schools and high schools. AlbertCammon Middle School showed a 55 percent decrease, from 78 to 35 incidents; Harry Hurst Middle School showed an 82 percent decrease, from 66 to 12; Eual J. Landry Sr. Middle School showed a 65 percent decrease,from 52 to 18; and J.B. Martin Middle School showed a 61 percent decrease,from 66 to 26.

Hahnville High School had a 47 percent decrease, from 96 to 51 incidents; and Destrehan High School had an 83 percent decrease, from 78 to 13 incidents.

The program coordinates with resource and DARE officers of the St. CharlesSheriff’s Office, who also attended the presentation.

The process in the wake of a fight includes arrest, posting of bond, conflict resolution classes with parental participation, required community service, suspension and reassignment to ADAPT and court appearance.

District Attorney Harry Morel, Sheriff Greg Champagne and District Judges Robert Chaisson, Kirk Granier and Emile St. Pierre, also attended thepresentation at Wednesday’s school board meeting to publicly voice their continued support.

Morel said that this program, along with the Families In Need of Service, is effective in stemming the tide of school violence. “I find this works,” headded.

Champagne introduced his resource and DARE officers, and commented, “They all deserve a lot of credit for making this work.”

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