Michael Zwaagstra: The BC Government Should Take a Firm Stand on Student Safety
Victoria trustees should not be allowed to cancel the police liaison officer program when the evidence shows that students are safer when police are in schools.
TL;DR
- Parents and teachers are worried about violence in British Columbia schools.
- The province does not maintain a public registry of violent incidents in schools.
- There is increasing anecdotal evidence of violence in schools.
- Gangs are targeting schools for recruitment.
- A former letter from Greater Victoria School District administrators warned of gang recruitment.
- Unchecked violence and gang presence impede academic learning and create unsafe environments.