Instead of taking cell phones from students, why not give
all students cell phones when they get to school since they love recording
fight videos and putting them on Facebook?
In what seems to be the best way to fight crime in
Chester, allow students bring their
cellys to school so they can arrest themselves.
Five students were taken into police custody following an investigation involving a fight inside Chester High School on Tuesday, which was videotaped and posted online.
The video was brought to the attention of the Chester Police Department on Wednesday morning and according to city Mayor John A. Linder, “They immediately opened an investigation resulting thus far in the arrest of all five students.”
No one knew, or cared
about the fight until it went on Facebook which has become more effective at
fighting crime than an entire kennel of K-9.
In a prepared statement released Wednesday afternoon, Linder called it “inconceivable” that school authorities did not immediately report the incident to city police.
It takes a little while to
edit those videos and upload them to Facebook. I’m sure it could have been
uploaded faster if the school had a WIFI hotspot.
In a follow-up release, Linder indicated that Chester Upland School District Receiver Joe Watkins was working with authorities in the ongoing investigation.
How about working with the
people in the school to stop or report these fights before they reach Facebook.
“I am thankful to our police who moved fast … and pleased that the district is working with us, that Receiver Watkins is working on ways to increase our communication regarding school security,” Linder said in the second prepared release.
The police didn’t find out
until a day later. The Mayor needs to hook up with Facebook to get school news fast. Thank God no one was dying.
Watkins said he and Linder have been working on the issue of school security, holding meetings with school officials in recent weeks.
Should we assume this
may not be the first fight of the school year if Mr. Receiver and Mr. Mayor
have been holding secret security meetings? Or, is it just a strange coincidence?
“The mayor and I communicate with each other regularly, working together, and be assured, the actions of a few will not impact all.
Well, it has impacted
all. All the students, security staff, the librarian, the injured, the accused, and everyone who watches the news and reads the paper.
Our students and district don’t deserve negative impact of a few,” Watkins said. “The district is thankful that our Chester police acted so expediently.”
Here we go with the expedient police again. Did the
police break up the fight or not? It sounds like they came a day later after they were called. Maybe they came fast after the call.
This was not the only fight that day, it was at least two more fights. One was posted on FB that happened in the cafe.
ReplyDeleteThat can't be true. It wasn't in the paper.
DeleteMr Roots, I encourage you to spend a week at CHS before passing judgement on the Mayor. It's so much that goes on in that school its unreal. Most of the guards are scared of the kids and the kids know it, that's why they do what they want in there. As soon as they were aware of the situation they handled it...so what's your issue? No argument here...I just think that maybe you should spend some time at CHS and maybe give us your exclusive report on your findings and presnt some solutions on what should be done.
ReplyDeleteI spent 2 years as a substitute in every school. Showalter and Smedley was much worse than Chester High when it came to violence.
DeleteI have no intentions of sharing my experience as a sub. But if you want to know...it wasn't pretty.
This blog post is on a newspaper/tv article.
As soon as they were aware they handled it? You're saying they were aware during the fight, after the fight, or the next day? Does handling it mean they broke up the fight or arrested some people the next day?
I only know what I read in the paper. If the paper is wrong, are you calling the Daily Times, Philadelphia Daily News, Channel 3 with new information?
roots your blog is petty and again no facts mayor did a good job and so did police and mr wakins they handle right away
ReplyDeleteWell, stop reading it.
DeletePeople always ask me why I work 2 jobs to put my kids through private/catholic school and this is why. Not because I don't think they will learn because I can teach at home to enhance on what the teachers do or do not do but I would fear for the safety of my kids every time they walked though those doors at the High. I am not saying all schools don't have some type of fighting but this seems to be the norm at the "high" and it seems to be acceptable with the administration there until it is brought to public light.
ReplyDeleteThe administration will be moving to Chester High next year. Let's see what affect that has on anything.
DeleteThis isn't an isolated incident. Aside from the fact that these kids were merely mimicking what they see on professional wresting, the real sad truth is that there are more than a few children who have never been taught how to behave, to say nothing of respecting adults who try to educate them. Until this changes,test scores will suffer. Fear, fighting and ignorant behavior is rampant.
ReplyDeleteI doubt if our kids are watching professional wrestling.
DeleteWhat time of day did the fight occur? Where were the adults/ teachers, etc?
ReplyDeleteSchool time. That's all I know.
Deletestop bloging wrong get your facts then blog mr roots no mr slave
ReplyDeletedid butler do everything right stop hating on the mayor
OK
DeleteI was shocked to see the "Wild West Corral" @ Chester High on the News. As a tax payer I pay for this! I feel bad for the kids because this is the environment in which they are trying to learn. As far as I am concerned Mayor Linder and Dr. Watkins were being political trying hard not to step on either others toes in this situation, and that will not help this situation.
ReplyDeleteAs I see the situation, there's no issue with Mayor Linder. He and the Police Dept. reacted as soon as the incident was reported. However,the issue is with the School Administration - this fight was a "COVER UP" because it was not reported until the next day and not by the School Administration but by someone who saw it on FB. Also, according to "Anonymous May 9, 2013 @ 9:47 am" that was not the only fight that day. The public perhaps would have never known about this incident had it not been reported by a concerned citizen (most likely a student).
Dr. Watkins was brought to Chester to change the system at a decent salary, and this is what we get? You will never resolve problems by covering them up. I suggest you take another approach if you seriously want to make effective changes in this School District.
Whew. From the other comments, I thought I got something wrong.
DeleteIn some respects, I'm satisfied that those kids were charged, but if every incident that occurs in the schools were reported to the police, there would be so many more arrests. Is that what we want?
If they're not going to put a camera in every classroom and hallway, let the students bring their cell phones in to record what they see and allow them to submit it anonymously.
In todays NY Times there's a story about a kid who secretly recorded his school lunch for 6 months. He proved that they were not serving what was on the menu. His movie is going to some film festival and has change the way his school district does food.
Mr. Root, maybe I am being too tough but I believe that any child in a school scene like that should be arrested and removed from the school district. These children have no place in an educational institution where other children are trying to learn. When they disrupt the system and go after one student to the point that this student needs to be hospitalized, then take them out and keep them out of the system. In other less disruptive incidents I believe the student should be strongly disciplined and if they cannot fit within the education structure - then out they go too.
DeleteThese kids have serious behavior problems and it is not the school district's responsibility regarding their behavior it is their parents responsibility. The school's responsibility should be to protect and educate those kids who want to learn. Again I say, I might be too tough, but this is the way I personally feel it should be - I am standing up for the student who want to learn and grow.
In regards to the kids and there cells/cameras I agree with you. There are those student who do care and are reaching out by camera.
You are absolutely correct. The problem is catching them.
Deleteroots you are3 still a slave you tom
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder. I'll try to do better.
Delete