| Author | Message | ||
     marie Citizen Username: Marie Post Number: 975 Registered: 6-2001 |
On October 2nd 2003, I attended the MMS Back to School Night where I spoke with two officers from MMS, Keven Kisch and Ira Ford. They are the current PEACE ( gang intervention ) officers at MMS. I asked them if they had any plans to host any kind of educational forum for parents in the district regarding gang encroachment and gang intervention in our schools. They told me that while they had already held meetings with parents of kids who had already been identified as gang members or who were at risk for participation in gangs, no program was in place to address the general parent population at MMS. They expressed a sincere desire to do bring some sort of program to parents at MMS and even possibly to the other district schools. They asked assistance in getting the program up and running - who they might approach at MMS for help. I suggested they contact the MMS HSA. The following day, I personally contacted the HSA President and told her about my conversation with the officers and asked if they would assist them in getting this forum organized. I was told that permission was needed from the principal before they could commit to this undertaking. I agreed to contact the Principal and discuss the issue. I coincidentally learned of a group that had recently formed called NAG Neighbors Against Gangs, formed by two community members Eugene Brown and Eric Burbank. This group had formed as a result of community concern over gang encroachment and gang activity in and around the Seth Boyden School. After several discussions with Eugene over the phone it was apparent that we shared the same concerns regarding gang encroachment. I told him about my conversations with the PEACE officers, etc and that I was trying to facilitate a program at MMS. Eugene promptly droped off a packet at my home with pertinent information on the identified gangs in essex county, grafitti, gang wear etc. He invited me to attend a meeting in which Officer Cross was going to do a presentation on gangs. I then took the initiative and called the Superintendent's Office to set up a meeting between Peter Horoschak, Eugene, several other NAG members and myself. We met approximately a week later at The Superintendent's Office and discussed NAG's involvement and the role they hoped the district might play in helping them acheive their goals. Namely, allowing the Seth Boyden School Auditorium to be used for an after school basketball program for at risk kids in that part of the community. I voiced my personal concerns about gang activity in our schools and the role I felt the district should take by implementing a district wide program - especially in light of a suspected gang related assault on a 13 year old MMS student in Memorial Park the preceding Friday evening. The Superintendent hadn't heard about the incident. He assured us that he shared our concerns and would support any and all community endeavors ,to the best of his ability. I reported back to the interim principal Ralph Celebre telling him of the Superintendent's willingness to support such a program. He suggested I work with the HSA and the PEACE officers in getting the event organized. He also mentioned the HSA was presenting a coffee talk at a future HSA meeting in which the PEACE officers would do a short presentation on the effects of bullying on students and the negative environment it created in a school. While this appeared to be a step in the right direction, I contended that bullying and gang activity aren't exactly the same issue and that we needed a more specific meeting organized where parents could ask questions and get answers directly from the MPD on the specific issue of gangs. I then contacted Officer Cross the Maplewood Police Dept.Gang Specialist whose presentation I had seen at NAG's second meeting. I asked if he would be interested in bringing that program to MMS. He was more than happy to participate, but told me the Chief needed to be apprised before he could commit to any presentation. I called the Chief who requested we meet with the Superintendent to insure that everyone was "on the same page" regarding the content of what would be included in this forum. I called the Superintendent's office and recieved three possible dates for a meeting - eventually I was able to coordinate everyone's schedules and a meeting was set up for the first week in Jan. The Chief of Police, Officers Kisch and Ford, Detective Cross, the newly appointed principal of MMS Chris Harriso, myself and the Superintendent were scheduled to meet at his Office to discuss the organization and implementation of an educational forum for parents of children at MMS regarding gang activity in and around our schools and community. I recieved a call three days before the meeting from the superintendent's secretary informing me the Superintendent was cancelling the meeting due to a scheduling conflict. I was assured that he would reschedule the meeting at a future date and we would be apprised of that date. After two weeks, I and called the Superintendent's Office to find out if the meeting had been rescheduled and was told that the Superintendent wanted to meet with the Chief of Police before any further meeting was scheduled. I called the Chief and his secretary told me the Chief he had not been contacted by anyone in the Superintendent's office to date. I called the Superitendent's Office again and was told that the Superintedent had in fact had a discussion with the Chief over the phone, but was not apprised of the outcome of the call. I called the Chief's office again and his sescretary told me that to her knowledge no such call had taken place, but that the chief who was out of town would contact me asap. Several days later I received a call from the Chief who told me the Superitendent had called him the previous evening and told him that he was not interested in participating in this discussion at the present time. (I also found out from Chris Harrison that the Superintendent told him in a conversation at a school function, that he had no previous knowledge of the meeting and didn't know who had organized it.) The Chief did confirm the conversation and also told me that the HSA's had been instructe not to participate in any future program. The Chief then suggested that the MPD perhaps work with the TC in putting this forum together and presenting it to the community. Approximately a week later I recieved a letter from the Superintendent office, dated Feb 12th which reads: Dear Ms. Stratechuk, I am responding to your recent inquiries to my office regarding your concerns about gang related activities at Maplewood Middle School. I am aware that you have discussed your concerns with Principal Chris Harrison and Maplewood Chief Robert Cimino. I also believe that the response to such concerns are being addressed at Maplewood Middle School through a coordinated effort witht the Maplewood Police Department and MMS Home and School Association. Therefore, I am unclear as to your intentions in requesting I convene a meeting with and others on this topic. I would prefer to receive a written explnation from you before initiating another round of meetings. Sincerely, Peter Horoschak Superintendent Last week I received a call from a VERY concerned citizen/parent/minister about an incident she saw unfold in front of her house outside of Columbia High School. She reported seeing a car of four youths pull up in front of the school, jump out and begin punching several students who were outside the school. A melee broke out and about approximately 100 students began fighting. The police showed, the crowd scatterd and the four youths jumped back into their car and drove off. She observed they were wearing colors. She also they were throwing signs to each other as they drove off in the car. She believe it was definately gang related. In this weeks News Record Police Blotter this incident is reported. The report goes out of its way to make the point that this was not a gang related incident. Conversely, in a front page article about vandalism and theft at SOMS it reports that gang members are suspected of having slashed tires on several cars in the parking lot. The eyewitness account of the fight outside CHS differs dramatically from from the News Record report of the CHS "fight." This same parent voiced her concerns about the issue of gangs and gang activity in our community and schools and asked for a response from the Superintendent and the BOE. She was told she would receive a written response over the next week. As of today, she hasn't recieved a letter. Our district has taken some measures to combat gang encroachment and gang activity in our community - via placing gang officers in MMS and and a gang officer at CHS. The TC is a member o the Essex County Gang Task force. Horoschak claims these issues are being adequatley addressed. Every informed source that I have spoken with emphatically claims that we aren't doig enough - we are empowering gangs to take our community from us and it's happening right under our noses. Is it time to admit that gangs threaten our public health and safety? Is our BOE's response adequate? Should our TC be held accountable? Is the correct response a move to Westfield, or private schools for your children? Those are options that many Maplewoodians are taking. There are other viable options, but we are running out of time. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 462 Registered: 9-2003  |
I'm kind of waiting, here, for the long-time residents to say something. What is the TC's position on this issue? If they're concerned -- and have reason to be -- don't they sort have the right/mandate to insist on a meeting with the Superintendent? Kind of related: Does the Chief of Police get hired by the TC? I find myself wondering what the TC thinks of all of this. Too, if the TC agreed there was a concern, wouldn't they with the Chief have the right to insist on a meeting? I guess my questions go to the issue of the town's role in insuring safety on the school property (or its perimeter). I'm assuming, maybe wrongly, that the TC and police have more say in this than does either the superinendent. I don't know enough to know, but why are folks shy about this?_ | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 4897 Registered: 5-2001 |
Marie, me thinks your reputation as a troublemaker preceeded you.  | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 463 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hey, bobk, are you saying that Marie is considered an army of 1 on this, and that most locals don't think there's a problem worth the TC or chief of police's or the superintendent's concern? I'm gen-u-inely asking as I do not know. | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 86 Registered: 10-2003 |
I know practically nothing about what Marie is talking about, but I would like to comment that the police officers stationed in the schools are not 'gang officers'. They are supposed to be there to assist with discipline and behavior issues as they crop up, but calling them gang officers is really misleading. They certainly do their best to form relationships with kids, monitor behavior to maintain a positive environment in the schools and spend time with problem kids, talking to parents about issues, even visiting homes if necessary. I'm sure they do a lot more, but I know they weren't placed there to prevent gang infiltration. I parented a student through 4 years of Columbia, grad 2002, and she knows of no 'gang' activity inside that school during those years. Is it possible that we have kids in town who are members of gangs and their parents don't know it? The other kids don't know it? From what I've heard, the students claim the gang problems are all from outside. Kids showing up after school and causing problems, picking fights. If there are gangs in another town nearby, it isn't unreasonable to think that they would choose a different HS than their own to cause trouble after school. It's less likely they would be recognized, etc. Why not post cameras on the corner and along the street? They have security cameras inside, why not outside too? Why not give all those kids who have no place to go after school, a place to go that is safe and monitored. When the schools were uncertain of the kids behavior a few years ago, they instituted the 'clear the school' rule(my words). The school library closed after school and anyone who didn't have special permission had to get out immediatly. That left them all hanging around the front to do what teenagers do. Idle. Just some thoughts. R | ||
| Montagnard Citizen Username: Montagnard Post Number: 461 Registered: 6-2003 |
Even if the kids involved are not members of gangs, the last several years have seen an increase in destructive and violent behavior (graffiti, the assaults mentioned by Marie, etc.). Marie's concerns are based on observed events. Her initiative in bringing people together is something that a more responsible District Superintendent would have drawn on immediately. There is definitely room for the TC and the BoE to set some direction here. | ||
| Scott Citizen Username: Selnychef Post Number: 31 Registered: 10-2002 |
Thank you Marie. I've been reading MOL for at least 2 years. I don't post much because I see the fallout of an unpopular post. You are not an army of one. To the rest,"Don't shoot the messenger". | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 336 Registered: 3-2003 |
The Super H's obstructionism in this case shows a blatent disregard for both student and public safety. Yet a third reason for this Board of Education to get a grade of F on its goal of Improving Communication. This school district seems to have its head in the sand on issues which deserve responsible public discussion with elected and appointed officials. I think it's time we ask the mayor, if he(and the TC) or Super H is running our town. | ||
| John Davenport Citizen Username: Jjd Post Number: 153 Registered: 2-2003 |
Thanks Marie for your fine work. I think Ms. Raines's report concerning what kids in the HS say is still consistent with the serious incident Marie heard about, since that involved kids from another town coming in to attack ours. What is scary about this is how blantant and nervy it was, coming right up to Columbia. I'm willing to give Peter H. the benefit of the doubt that he just wants something in writing. So send the letter Marie, but he should indeed convene the meeting you are requesting. | ||
| marie Citizen Username: Marie Post Number: 976 Registered: 6-2001 |
Rebecca, You are correct about the role the officers play at MMS - they are well liked by the kids and consistently go above and beyond the call of duty to help them. But you are not correct about the reason they were initially placed in our schools. They were placed in our schools to keep an eye on already identified gang members and to try to prevent other kids from falling prey to gangs. It is my understanding the MPD would like to see officers at the elementary schools as well. This past fall a 2nd grader was identifed as a child who was well on his way to meeting the criteria for a gang member. A teacher recognized the grafitti on his notebook as more than just "doodling" and reported it to the authorities. It was a gang sign from a gang the authorities weren't aware were even in our area. Eight year olds shouldn't fall prey to gang activity. John, I am sending a letter this week and will cc it all BOE members and TC members. I'll let you know what kind of a response I receive back. | ||
| Dave Citizen Username: Dave Post Number: 6545 Registered: 4-1998  |
Marie, Do you know what our neighboring towns may be doing about this problem? | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 4904 Registered: 5-2001 |
Obviously the second grader should be apprehended, charged as an adult and if convicted spend the rest of his childhood at Rahway State, and I don't mean college. | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 87 Registered: 10-2003 |
I'm not sure what to say about this now. I've been in several situations in which I heard the two school officers talk, specifically to the library staff regarding our afterschool behavior issues, and on neither occassion was the word 'gang' even mentioned. If their primary directive is to pick out kids who are potential or current gang members, then it seems like they would have mentioned something about gang-type behavior for us to look out for or gang colors or something. I got the impression they had been assigned to the schools for positive influence, safety, stay away from drugs/alcohol education, and as back up to the staff for serious discipline problems. I understand that not everyone needs to know everything, but I don't like the idea of the police/township keeping things from us for our 'own good', or maybe because it might look bad to the outside. Many people, including me, didn't appreciate the way we were mislead two years ago when a neighbor was killed. We were specifically told that it was a crime of passion and intense anger, that the person responsible must have known her, that it was not a random act. In the end it WAS actually a stranger. Maybe it was a misread on their part, but we now have the understanding that quite a lot of relevant information was withheld from us for our own 'peace of mind'. Concerning gangs: I want to know what to look for and what to do when I see it. R | ||
| kathy Citizen Username: Kathy Post Number: 787 Registered: 5-2001 |
Marie may not be an army of one, but she seems to consistently overstate the case. For instance, I recently spoke with someone who witnessed the incident that Marie described as a "melee" with over 100 students fighting. My source said that several youths did jump out of a car and attack a couple of other kids, but that the rest of the students present either watched, or continued on about their business, but did not get involved. Mrs. Pollack told the HSA board that the attackers had been identified as from Irvington, and that some of them had returned the next day and had been arrested. Mike Morrison, the Maplewood PD detective assigned to the high school, works with the Essex County gang task force. He says that they have a checklist of criteria for determining that a student might be a gang member, and that no CHS student has yet been so identified. He did say that there were some gang "wannabes" at CHS. He is working to see that they do not become more than that. At the Cougar Forum a week ago, Judy LoBianco, the physical education teacher who leads the conflict resolution program, said that there is much less fighting at the high school than there was 9 or 10 years ago. Things are not perfect here, but neither is the sky falling. | ||
| mtierney Citizen Username: Mtierney Post Number: 508 Registered: 3-2001 |
Another similar issue is the situation at the Baker Street library after MMS lets out. There are frequent fights and it appears that there is no solution. The school distances itself. Discussion runs to the illegal student issue and then dies. Why isn't the school district held accountable in some manner for this problem? Cops arrive there often - more so as the warm weather invites them to hang out outside. The school should provide safe study environments within the school building for kids who have to wait around until 5 or 6 p.m. for rides home. The premise that after the school door slams behind them, student behavior is not their concern just doesn't fly with me. It's not the library's job. | ||
| kathy Citizen Username: Kathy Post Number: 789 Registered: 5-2001 |
There is an after-school program in every elementary and middle school. But it costs money. Some parents can't/won't pay the cost, and tell their kids to go to the public library. I'm not sure why this is the school's fault or responsibility. And I also don't see how the "illegal student" issue comes into it. | ||
| sac Citizen Username: Sac Post Number: 1001 Registered: 5-2001 |
The school has not ignored the library issue. A very pointed letter on this topic was sent home to parents recently from the principal and it laid out acceptable and unacceptable reasons for children to be at the library after school. "Hanging out" and childcare reasons were definitely on the unacceptable list. However, I don't think that the school can really enforce this since the library is essentially a public facility and it is hard to tell students that they cannot be there since there is no specific rule that children must be accompanied by parents to enter the library and I don't think any of us want such a rule put in place. There is an afterschool program for MMS but many parents do not choose to enroll their children in it. (And I don't think that program is full, but I could be wrong.) I would love to see the schools provide safe environments for kids until 5 or 6pm, but which of those programs in the budget would you do away with in order to ensure that this was funded? I believe that this is ultimately the responsibility of the parents, but not all parents are taking that responsibility seriously. | ||
| Nohero Citizen Username: Nohero Post Number: 2994 Registered: 10-1999  |
I thought the N.A.G. presentations were very good, with the positive message that parents can keep gangs from coming into town from neighboring Irvington and Newark. More people should have the opportunity to hear things "from the source", our local law enforcement officials, in much the same way that Ms. Raines and Kathy have related. | ||
| Popo Citizen Username: Popo Post Number: 35 Registered: 1-2003 |
Apparently there were two assaults that took place, one on February 23rd and one on February 24th. Kathy, perhaps your friend witnessed the second incident, because the first was most definitely a "melee" with a large number of kids involved. Also, no one "jumped" out of a car---four youths emerged from a car on Academy Street and slowly and deliberately walked to the corner and started the fight. The information I received from the police regarding the arrests is different from what the HSA Board was told, but I'm awaiting clarification before I post here. To me, arguing over the details is not the point. This is completely unacceptable behavior. It poses a real threat to our children and the community at large. What are we, as a community, going to do about it? | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 469 Registered: 9-2003 |
Can the library bounce kids who are not behaving? Last fall, I witnessed a mess outside of the library that I commented on. On that occasion, I was on my way into the library with my kid and asked how often the sort of thing I saw outside went on. The lady at the desk rolled her eyes and said all the time... I can't figure out who's in charge, who cares.... |
