New Jersey annual schools violence and vandalism report shows decline statewide, rise locally

Friday, October 23, 2009
By SARAH M. WOJCIK
The Express-Times

Violence and vandalism in schools have declined across New Jersey, but locally, incidents are on the rise, according to an annual report released Thursday by the state Department of Education.

This year's report reflects incidents during the 2007-08 school year reported by each district across the state. The state compiles the data into a report measuring incidents of violence, vandalism, weapons and those involving drugs and alcohol.

Total incidents in New Jersey schools saw a 5 percent decline between 2006-07 and the following school year. The Education Department says there were a little more than 9,200 incidents of violence reported, down by some 200 from the previous school year.

Violence, vandalism and weapons incidents all dropped but were tempered by an increase in cases involving alcohol and drugs.

According to the report, unauthorized use of prescription drugs in school climbed 77 percent since 2005-06.

School districts in Warren and Hunterdon counties seemed to buck the statewide trend, according to the report. Instead of declines in violent incidents, both counties witnessed a rise, while drug and alcohol use dropped.

The most dramatic incident increase in area schools occurred at North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional School District, with 23 more incidents in 2007-08 than in the previous year. Though weapons and drug or alcohol incidents dropped, violence rose from 13 to 35 incidents within the district.

Calls to Superintendent Charles Shaddow for comment were not returned Thursday.

Great Meadows Regional School District also saw a large climb in incidents, according to the report. The district recorded 17 more incidents year over year, despite a drop in enrollment from 1,009 to 956. Great Meadows Superintendent Tim Frederiks did not return a call seeking comment.

The sharpest decrease in incidents regionally occurred at Warren County Technical School. Total incidents decreased by 14 within a year, according to the report. The most dramatic drop in number occurred with violence -- falling from 13 incidents reported in 2006-07 to four.

Superintendent Robert Glowacky said the decrease is the result of a combination of factors within the school, including peer counseling and faculty involvement. The report released Thursday is also the first since security cameras were installed throughout the school.

"They know they shouldn't do these things, because they won't get away with it," Glowacky said. "It's the whole package that makes a difference."

A culture of discipline also is helpful, Glowacky said.

"If the students know we are concerned about the little things, then they're hesitant to go any further," he said.

Phillipsburg and Belvidere school districts also saw drops in problems.

While Belvidere's violent incidents increased by two, the district witnessed declines in vandalism and weapons.

Phillipsburg's violent incidents decreased by 11 and incidents involving drug and alcohol dropped by nine. However, vandalism jumped from 12 incidents to 21, according to the report.

Phillipsburg Assistant Superintendent George Chando said messages promoting positive behavior in school are drilled into students through curriculum and assemblies.

"I think that's a big benefit for kids, especially at a young age," Chando said of healthy extracurricular activities.