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NORWALK, Conn. Norwalk.DailyVoice.com accepts signed, original letters to the editor. Letters may be e-mailed to letters@dailyvoice.com.
To the Editor,The Board of Education has recommended the elimination of security monitors in all middle schools.
Everyone knows, or should know, that recruiting of gang members and gang activities begin in the middle schools. Let's not repeat the mistake of the Norwalk Police Department. They underestimated the gangs in Norwalk until the shootings and killings increased. To eliminate security monitors in the middle schools would create a "Devil's Playground."
The students of middle schools would be subjected to potential gang members, kids with dominant personalities and aggressive behavior, resulting in violent confrontation and fights. With the "no snitch rule" in effect, the victims and even students with A-averages are hesitant to assist the administration with any investigation.
I can speak for myself and all school security, as well, that there is a sense of pride in assisting administration and helping to create a safe learning environment in our schools. There is communication about potential danger and new trends within each independent school. Since school security lives in the Norwalk community, they see the potentially troubled children and their associates. School security can identify troubled students and report to administration and monitor these individuals if necessary.
Many teachers are hesitant to confront troubled kids or break up fights because of injuries and medical leaves required after doing so.
Security monitors in the middle school are expected to monitor morning entry into the school, hallways, stairwells, bathroom sweeps, lunch and recess, and end-of-day dismissals. I am not saying the security monitors can "clean up Dodge" all by themselves. But they are a vital part in assisting administration in handling of many situations. The hiring of a behavior specialist is not the answer to replace security monitors.
We spent the month of February educating the students of the dangers of physical bullying, verbal bullying and cyber-bullying. Now we ask the students to fend for themselves. You may ask am I afraid of losing my job? Yes, I fear losing my job, but I have a greater fear for the children in the Norwalk public schools. Security is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water.
Reconsider the elimination of security monitors in the middle school and help retain the safe learning environment which is currently established.
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