As such, Ida Johnson conducted a study in 1999 to evaluate whether programs such as School Resource Offers and COPS in Schools effectively reduces the rate of crime in schools. Johnson’s findings reflected that there was a decrease in the occurrence of offenses one year after which school resource officers were permanently established in schools (Ismaili, 2015, p. “102”). However, Ismaili (2015) further notes that Johnson’s study was conducted during a period of time in which school crime and violence generally was declining across the nation (p. “102”). Since a comparison group was not provided, it is undetermined how reliable the study’s findings actually are. Additionally, this is a prime example evidencing the importance of conducting research and collecting data over an extended period of time, having data comparison groups, and considering all of the numerous and various factors involved that could impact the results. With regard to school crime and violence, there simply is not sufficient research and data to be able to determine conclusively whether the approaches being taken in today’s society with regard to law enforcement officer programs in schools is indeed …show more content…
Personally, as a mother of a young child, I believe that safety in schools is an area of concern that should be thoroughly discussed and addressed. I believe that no parent will want to imagine the day they send their child to school to receive an education only to later learn that a horrible crime and/or tragedy occurred in their presence, and even to the child directly. Additionally, I recognize that with any new policy enacted, it is not without its own challenges. At times, in order to correct a problem through a policy, a system of trial and error is needed. Notwithstanding, data is an essential and vital one in determining whether the policy in question is indeed an effective one. With regard to school crime, from my understanding, programs to combat the “issue” of school crime have been created since approximately the 1990s. Nevertheless, through studies conducted such as that of Johnson’s referenced above, it is apparent that there is not sufficient research and data analysis to determine whether the policies enacted with respect to issues of school crime are operating effectively to meet the end goals (i.e. eliminate the presence of drugs, alcohol, and violence in