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A New Look At Security In Our Schools

By Larry Kane

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Recently, two teachers were killed in Massachusetts and Nevada in a wave of school violence, which has led to efforts to curb school violence in our area.

In Philadelphia and across the region, eliminating the fear of violence in the educational process is a priority. South Jersey Congressman Rob Andrews points out that in one way, Congress has forgotten our schools:

"In the 1990's, we were helping put about 1,000 community police officers a year in schools. Because funding has been cut for that program, it's now down to about 350 for the whole country and I don't think police are the only answer for schools, but I think they're a part of the answer."

Kelly Hodge has served as a professional anti-violence expert for 15 years. She says in many ways, communication is the key:

"A lot of it boils down very simplistically. A least one component is communication -- active, open lines of communication. What I've done this year is I've adopted a program that was being done in the Northwest part of the city by state senator Dwight Evans in having a conference calling method of every week, there is a call that involves members of the chiefs department, members of Philadelphia Police, of SEPTA Police and of school personnel.

Hodges chats with Andrews and Carl Holmes, the Chief Inspector of the Philadelphia Police Department who is now running police efforts in the Philadelphia school system.

It's all tonight on Voice of Reason on The Comcast Network at 9:30.

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