SAFETY AND SECURITY
This chapter examines the Cedar Hill Independent School District (CHISD) safety and security functions in the following areas:
- A. Safety and Security
- Part 1
- Part 2
- B. Crisis Management
A. SAFETY AND SECURITY (Part 1)
The City of Cedar Hill entered into an Interlocal Cooperative Agreement with CHISD on September 9, 1997, to provide police services to the youth of CHISD. The duration of the initial agreement was three years and subject to termination 180 days before September 30th of each year. The agreement provided for a Community Services Division (CSD) staffed by six Cedar Hill Police Department (CHPD) officers known as Community Resource Officers (CROs) assigned to work with CHISD 95 percent of their time and with other private schools for the remaining 5 percent of their weekly hours. The program was partially funded by a three-year, federal grant, known as COPS Funding Accelerated for Smaller Towns (COPS FAST).
CHISD and the City of Cedar Hill received $225,000 the first year, $150,000 the second year and $75,000 the third year of the program. This funding, originally designed to pay the salaries and benefits of officers engaged in community policing efforts, is no longer available. The City of Cedar Hill and CHISD agreed to be equally responsible for the program's annual expenditures not covered by the grant. They continue to split expenses for salaries, benefits, overtime, uniforms, training, radios, pagers and working supplies following the expiration of the grant.
There is a storefront office on BeltlineRoad, completely funded by the City of Cedar Hill in 2000-01. CROs operate the storefront when they are not at school locations or during special training programs. The storefront, also used by community associations, scout meetings and other youth programs, is set up with a large array of security and safety films, written materials, conference tables and private interview rooms. CROs have used these interview rooms for private meetings with students and parents on police issues.
The CRO Division consists of six CROs, including a working supervisor. Officers are Texas Certified Peace officers with at least two years of experience and are employees of the CHPD.
CROs are assigned to one or more schools. Current primary assignments are listed in Exhibit 9-6.
Exhibit 9-6 Source: CHISD, CRO Division sergeant and CHISD assistant superintendent, Business and Support Services, March 2002.
CHISD Police Department
Community Resource Officers Assignment
2001-02
Rank Number Assignment Sergeant 1 Working Supervisor Police officers 1 CRO rotates between Permenter Middle School, Cedar Hill High School and one elementary school 1 CRO rotates between four elementary schools 1 CRO rotates between Beltline Intermediate and West Intermediate 1 CRO assigned to Permenter Middle School 1 CRO assigned to Cedar Hill High School The responsibilities of the CROs include classroom instruction on crime, drug and gang prevention, safety, law and citizenship. The officers serve as mentors, counselors and consultants and present community relations programs in schools. They also work with youth and parents during summer mentoring programs, athletic events and through a youth police academy.
In addition to the police officers, the high school and the middle school have civilian guards funded by CHISD, who patrol the schools. These individuals report to and are trained by the Cedar Hill High School principal. Their primary duty is to act as a visible deterrent to crime thus enhancing the safety and security of students and staff.
Exhibit 9-7 compares the officer-to-student ratio of CHISD's Police Department with its peer districts.
Exhibit 9-7 Source: Texas Education Agency (TEA), Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS), 2001-02 and WCL ENTERPRISES telephone survey, April 2002.
Officer-to-Student Ratios
CHISD and Peer Districts
April 2002
District Total
SchoolsStudent
Body SizeCRO/SRO
OfficersOfficer to
Student RatioCHISD 9 6,966 6 1:1,161 De Soto 11 6,771 4 1:1,693 Grand Prairie 30 19,496 11 1:1,772 Duncanville 14 10,287 5 1:2,057 From 1998-99 through 2000-01, the district experienced a 56.1 percent decrease in the number of arrests and a 35.6 percent reduction in the number of citations issued (Exhibit 9-8). The CRO supervisor believes this decline to be a direct result of "the high presence of police officers on school campuses and setting the precedent that criminal offenses will be acted on by the police department."
Exhibit 9-8 Source: CHISD, CRO Division Sergeant, 1998-99 through 2000-01.
CHISD Arrests and Citations by CROs
1998-99 through 2000-01
1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01 Percentage Change
1998-99 to 2000-01Arrests 132 38 58 Citations 393 109 253 Reports N/A 68 148 N/A
Note: N/A denotes unavailable.Along with enforcement of offenses, the CRO officers assigned to the schools taught 2,806 students and had contact with 12,465 students during 1999-2000. In 2000-01, the number of students taught increased to 8,061, an increase of 187.3 percent and total student contacts increased to 20,544 for an increase of 64.8 percent (Exhibit 9-9).
Exhibit 9-9 Source: CHISD, CRO Division Sergeant, May 2002.
Student Contact by CROs
1999-2000 through 2000-01
School Number of
ClassesNumber of
Students TaughtTotal Contact
with StudentsHigh school N/A 447 447 Middle school 38 794 5,842 Intermediate schools 312 706 3,396 Elementary schools 414 6,114 10,859 A.E.P. Campus 0 0 0 Total for 2000-01 764 8,061 20,544 Total for 1999-2000 265 2,806 12,465 Percentage change from 1999-2000 to 2000-01 188.3% 187.3% 64.8% On April 2, 2001, CHISD contracted with Interquest, Inc. to provide the services of contraband detecting dogs for 10 half-day visits at $160 per visit. The visits are unannounced inspections conducted in communal areas at Cedar Hill High School, Permenter Middle School and the AEP once a month and on an as needed basis or for specific reasons as requested by the principals.
FINDING
Cedar Hill CROs offer CHISD students and staff a comprehensive series of educational safety programs. Programs target a variety of ages and grade levels and use age-appropriate material. Most programs are offered in classes held during the regular school day. Others programs are conducted during evening hours. CHISD and CHPD split the costs, and CROs coordinate and conduct programs listed in Exhibit 9-10 with the exception of the Student Intern Program and P.R.I.D.E.
Exhibit 9-10 Source: CHISD Sergeant, CRO Division and Cedar Hill Police Department, March 2002.
CHISD Safety Programs
January 25, 2002
Title Definition Participants Contents L.E.T.S. Law Enforcement Teaching Students CHISD students Private schools hold abbreviated program The Dallas Police Department and the Dallas Public Schools' Prevention Program developed this program and includes a series of lessons about various life skills such as decision-making, self-confidence building, peer pressure reversal techniques and character education taught in age-appropriate curricula. These lessons equip students with skills to resist temptations associated with drug use, violence and other illegal and/or unhealthy behaviors. G.R.E.A.T. Gang Resistance Education and Training CHISD students Designed by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe and Mesa Police Departments to create and implement a gang resistance program. Project S.A.V.E. Stop Alcohol Violations Early CHISD students A school-based, alcohol-prevention program developed by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to teach children to avoid alcohol and resist peer and societal pressure to drink. Citizen Police Academy -Youth Open to all Cedar Hill Youth An after-school program for students up to age 14 designed to give students a working knowledge of the Cedar Hill Police Department's personnel and policies. A summer camp is available for all school-age children. Citizen Police Academy Open to all Cedar Hill residents The adult academy is for persons 14 and over. Student Intern Program Conducted primarily by the Office of the Police Chief For high school students who want to earn college credit by working in different areas of the Police Department assisting with its daily operations. Escape School CHISD students and private school students A program for students of all ages designed to teach students how to escape if abducted or held against their will. McGruff CHISD elementary schools and day care centers The Crime Dog Safety series. P.R.I.D.E. Putting Respect In Decisions Everyday Coordinated by CHISD for their students Parents, teachers and administrators determined that it would be best to have district teachers develop a program to help students solve problems and avoid becoming a part of the disciplinary system. Tobacco Awareness New for the 2002-03 school year. CROs create and conduct other programs needed during the school day and on their own personal time to build trust with students. These programs include "Bullying Prevention," "Honesty" and "Telling the Truth." Officers also work with students on sporting events such as boxing, students with special needs and at-risk of failure and conduct a program on early law enforcement complete with medieval artifacts. "What Really Happens When You Get Arrested," a program targeted at high school students, is designed to dispel myths about law enforcement. Officers candidly answer questions and tell students what really happens during an arrest.
COMMENDATION
CHISD and the City of Cedar Hill developed a model relationship between CROs and students to address safety and security needs for students and staff.
FINDING
CHISD began a program in 2001 to encourage staff and students to wear picture identification badges. One of the issues raised during meetings with both CROs and district administrators was the difficulties school-based officers face in identifying individuals who should not be on campus. In the Cedar Hill High School, it is difficult to determine whether an unfamiliar adult or youth on school grounds is a possible intruder, a parent or substitute teacher. Intruders at the school locations could provide inaccurate identification when asked their names and those without a driver's license could simply say they had no identification.
The first stage of the picture identification badge program began with the district administration staff during 2001 and extended to Cedar Hill High School students and faculty in 2002. Permenter Middle School will implement the picture identification badge program during 2002-03. During 2001-02, Cedar Hill High School students who did not wear their badges were subject to a dress code violation that included a detention. In 2002-03, they will receive a Level II safety violation that includes a conference with the principal or designee. Teachers not adhering to the rule may receive a citation, but to date, no teacher violations have been issued.
Badges for teachers and staff show their names and employment location with no other identifier. Student badges have names and student identification numbers. No social security numbers or other information is used that would violate any privacy laws.
Student identification badges help ensure proper access to school facilities. School officials can determine at a glance who belongs in a school and who doesn't. Police officers immediately stop any youth without a badge. The CROs believe that addressing students by name is a valuable deterrent to inappropriate behavior, provides an opportunity to challenge trespassers and escort them from the building and eliminates false information while identifying violators.
The secretary to the assistant superintendent, Personnel and Student Services, makes employee badges for district and central administration. The high school library staff makes badges for students at the high school. The initial cost of $5,000 in 2001 was paid from the Cedar Hill High School activity fund for the badge making machine and supplies. The cost of the badge is free and replacement charges are $5.00 per badge.
COMMENDATION
The district promotes safety and security for staff and students through the use of an identification badge program.
FINDING
Cedar Hill CROs analyzed nationally-known drug and alternative safety programs to determine the maximum effectiveness and savings available for the district.The analysis resulted in CHISD replacing the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program with the Law Enforcement Teaching Students (L.E.T.S.) and Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) programs, saving the district $9,000 annually.
The D.A.R.E. program requires an initial 80 hours of training and alternate year recertification with a required 40 hours of training. Training also has a potential requirement for out-of-state travel and lodging expenses. Although there is usually no charge for the initial training, some training centers charge a tuition fee for their services. Student requirements include 17 to 18 dedicated classroom hours over a 17-week period. Purchase of materials such as pencils, t-shirts and all give-away items must have the proprietary D.A.R.E. logo and be purchased through that program.
In contrast, certification for the G.R.E.A.T. officer training program requires a 40-hour training class and the recertification program only requires a two-day training class. The G.R.E.A.T. program will provide lodging and tuition for full-time, certified/sworn, uniformed police officers with a minimum of two years of experience for training or recertification.
Materials purchased for alternative programs can be made at a significant savings through local purchasing efforts. Savings realized by CHISD by switching to the G.R.E.A.T. and L.E.T.S. programs amounted to $9,000 for the purchase of t-shirts alone.
COMMENDATION
CHISD uses program evaluation for its drug and alternative safety programs to maximize effectiveness and savings for the district.
FINDING
CHISD has no single point of contact for the district's safety and security programs. Responsibility for safety and security in CHISD is divided between five different managers, which delays quick responses to inquiries from staff, students and community members. Staff is uncertain who is responsible for safety and security programs, issues and budget needs. Several positions have important safety-related duties to perform, but none are responsible for planning and prioritizing districtwide safety initiatives. When staff was asked to identify the person in charge of the district's safety program, individuals identified the assistant superintendent, Administrative Services, the supervisor of the CROs, the Special Programs director and principals.
This division between five managers, also results in split budgets; reduced accountability; lack of spending and financial reporting controls; communication problems such as inaccurate or incomplete incident reports; no written policies or procedures ensuring coordination among sections; and no strategic focus.
Exhibit 9-11 shows the position, department and responsibilities within the area of safety and security.
Exhibit 9-11 Source: CHISD assistant superintendent, Administrative Services, 2001-02.
CHISD Safety and Security Services
Responsibility by Area
2001-02
Position Department Responsibility Assistant superintendent, Administrative Services Instruction and Administrative Services CROs, the Crisis Plan and most safety and security issues Director, Special Programs Special Programs Drug Free and Gun Free Schools Report Principal Campus Based Security equipment including surveillance cameras; issuing keys Director, Student Services Personnel and Student Services Drug dogs CROs at extracurricular events and services with CHPD officers to provide security at extra-curricular activities Supervisor, Custodial Custodial Department Crossing guards With no clear assignment of responsibility or authority to implement districtwide initiatives, individuals focus on their own safety and security requirements without considering districtwide efficiencies. For example, individual principals can purchase security and surveillance cameras if they think they have a need.
Although it is not unusual for smaller districts to share responsibilities among available staff, safety and security issues affect the entire district, not just one school or department. Many districts designate one person as the coordinator for all districtwide planning, communications and prioritization of resources. This central person is responsible for making sure that all safety and security planning and goals are accomplished and that budgets are understood and planned with coherent strategy.
In Robstown ISD, the director of Risk Management has responsibility for districtwide safety and security. The Laredo ISD board moved the responsibility for occupational safety, emergency preparedness and environmental compliance directly under the superintendent.
Recommendation 62:
Designate one position as the coordinator for all safety and security programs.
The district should review its safety and security programs and designate one position to oversee and coordinate the district's safety planning and implementation process. Assigning this responsibility to one employee does not require creating a new position.
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES AND TIMELINE
1. The superintendent designates one position the responsibility of the overall coordination of safety and security and instructs the assistant superintendent, Personnel and Student Services, to draft a revised position description. September 2002 2. The assistant superintendent, Personnel and Student Services, revises the selected position's job description to reflect the responsibility and authority to plan and coordinate districtwide safety and security initiatives. September 2002 3. The superintendent reviews and approves the revised job description and classification. October 2002 4. The superintendent places the revised job description and classification on the board agenda for public comment and approval. November 2002 5. The superintendent notifies all affected positions of any changes. November 2002 FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact assumes that CHISD will pay a $1,000 stipend per year for a coordinator for all safety and security programs.
Recommendation 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 Designate one position as the coordinator for all safety and security programs. ($1,000) ($1,000) ($1,000) ($1,000) ($1,000)