Recent actions by the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools has caused me some concern and prompted me to ask a couple of questions. First came word that they want to put the school resource officer contract up for bid, effectively putting the sheriff's office on notice that a renewal of the current contract isn't a given. Actually there isn't even a contract at this point, so let's call it an agreement. Then in last night's meeting when they set the legislative agenda the schools' attorney said that they are talking to state Rep. Dale Folwell about introducing legislation to allow the school system to access the state law enforcement agencies' gang database known as Gang Net. They want to be able to see if students are listed.
- Have the schools taken into account the relationships that the school resource officers have developed with the staff and students at the various schools? I understand that there are budgetary issues, but I hope that they take those relationships into account when they evaluate the proposals. The SROs have literally spent years getting to know the schools they work in and just as a police officer who knows a neighborhood is considered more effective than an officer who parachutes in, I suspect that SROs who know their schools are more effective than someone fresh off the street. I'm not saying that a different department or a private contractor couldn't build up similar relationships over time, but I am saying that I think the school system should keep that in mind as they evaluate bids.
- Speaking of private contractors, what are the odds that Blackwater will bid on this contract?
- About the Gang Net thing: I thought juvenile records were sealed. If so how can law enforcement agencies open those records to the schools even if there's a state law passed? I absolutely understand the desire to know if gang members are in the schools, but I just don't know how the database can be opened to agencies outside of law enforcement and still protect the minors' identities. I'm not trying to be obtuse, I'm just trying to understand.
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