Incidents of Violence, Vandalism Declining in Jersey City Schools According to State Report
By Matt Hunger • Dec 19th, 2011 • Category: Blog, News
Here’s some good news for a statewide anti-bullying initiative meant to curb violence and vandalism in New Jersey schools: the Department of Education’s yearly report tracking such incidents shows a modest decline both statewide and in Jersey City specifically. Although the number of total incidents in Jersey City schools remains among the highest in the state, the incident rate as a percentage of the school’s population is relatively modest. Of the 27,658 students in the 2010-2011 school year, there were some 321 reports of some kind of incident. These include threatened or actual violence (148), vandalism to property (8), students found with weapons (55), and students found with a controlled substance (123). By comparison, of the 6,470 students enrolled in Atlantic City, there were 237 incidents reported.
While there’s nothing productive about comparing Jersey City schools to some of the worst offenders, it does give a broader context to the number. More important is how Jersey City public schools of 2010-2011 did in comparison to Jersey City of 2009-2010.
With a slightly lower total enrollment in 2009-2010 (27,464), there were even more incidents reported (348). That’s a positive sign, but with a larger sample size, it’s a modest change. In fact, back in 2008-2009 there were 27,832 students enrolled and only 224 incidents.
NJ’s DOE does not attempt to account for the findings, per se, but an anti-bullying initiative is seen as prompting the necessary first step– shining a light on the problem.
“Though we cannot be certain whether the change in numbers reflects real increases or decreases in incidents or simply better reporting, we do know that the new statewide anti-bullying law has put a focus on violence and bullying in schools, which is leading to better identification and reporting from schools and districts. As the law emphasizes, awareness is a necessary first step to taking they type of action that will create safer learning environments for children,” said Acting Commissioner Cerf in a prepared statement.
The statement includes the following breakdown of incidents over the three year period from 2008-09 through 2010-11:
In the violence category, total incidents increased by 5.6 percent during this time period. There were 276 fewer assaults (a decline of eight percent). Incidents of harassment / intimidation / bullying / threat (HIBT) increased by 566 from 2,846 in 2008-09 to 3,412 in 2010-11 (19.9 percent).
In the vandalism category, the reported number of incidents declined by more than 30 percent over the three-year period as follows: property damage (463 or 35.2 percent), fireworks (7 or 16.3 percent), theft (473 or 35.2 percent), and trespassing (59 or 45.4 percent). In addition the number of reported incidents of burglary declined from 63 reported in 2008-09 to 44 in 2010-11, a 30.2 percent change.
In the weapons category, reported incidents of firearms remained essentially level over the three-year period. However, incidents involving a weapon other than a firearm increased by 248 or 25.1 percent. The most notable of which were incidents involving unidentified weapons (up 96 or 98 percent), knives (up 79 or 10.5 percent) and air guns (39 or 81.3 percent).
In the substance category, the number of incidents of possession of substances increased by 302, or 37 percent from 817 in 2008-09 to 1,119 in 2010-11. Marijuana accounts for 69 percent of the total number of reported substance incidents in 2010-2011. The use of unauthorized prescription drugs is trending down. Alcohol-related incidents are up over the three-year period after having decreased in 2009-10. Alcohol accounts for 14.8 percent of the total number of reported substance incidents this year, second only to marijuana.
“Students learn best and achieve their full potential in safe and orderly classrooms. This report empowers parents with access to information in the most transparent way possible. We are committed to being as open and forthcoming as possible about circumstances that impact the health and safety of our students with the goal of ensuring that every child in New Jersey can learn in a safe and supportive learning environment,” said Acting Commissioner Chris Cerf in the statement.
Like what you've read here? Please consider making a donation or becoming a sustaining member. As a grassroots news organization, we rely on community support -- as well as paid advertising -- to survive.
Matt Hunger is a staff writer for the Jersey City Independent.
Email this author | All posts by Matt Hunger
