Students react to campus police

Westfall — Evoking shrugs, nods of approval, and defiant outbursts, the news that a certified police officer will soon be patrolling the Delaware Valley High School hallways has created debate throughout classrooms this week that could match those of the school board. Though primarily new information to most, once students were told of the board’s most recently passed proposal, varied opinions ran rampant, especially in an Advanced Placement, U.S. Government and Politics class this past week. Deliberations began among the students, and despite reminders that the placement of an officer on the Delaware Valley School District’s three campuses was more of a safety precaution than a crime combatant, some remained obstinate. “Sometimes decisions are made out of fear. To have an armed guard roaming the halls of Delaware Valley would be succumbing to fears stemming from the Virginia Tech shooting. The idea is ridiculous, and the reality of it is truly appalling and grossly inferior. Let’s remember this is a public school, not a correctional facility; none of us were condemned by a jury of peers,” senior Zack Pearce said passionately. Fellow senior Samantha Longobardi believes in the “correctional facility” comparison as well, saying, “I just feel that school shouldn’t have that kind of environment. I’d feel like I’m walking into a correctional facility rather than an educational one [with a police officer present]. It’s not like we’re living in the city; those types of [violent] things don’t happen in a small town like this. The chance of an actual emergency happening is slim.” Despite this widespread notion that only inner-city schools station police in their halls, the Delaware Valley School District had been one of the few without them in this state. Further, as safety committee chairman Bob Goldsack said at last week’s Safety meeting, “We’re doing this for the protection of our students and staff, [nothing else].” Other students around the high school complex agree with the administration’s sentiments. Chrissy Smith, a senior, says police officers are far from being a problem. “I see [Westfall Police Chief] Mr. [Mark] Moglia around school all the time - it doesn’t bother me. I view police officers as nice people. To those who believe this action is too drastic - you won’t be feeling the same when something happens to your [unprotected] kids.” The same sentiments were expressed by the majority of board members last week when a few concerned parents questioned the need for officers on campus. For sophomore Eavan Matz, a former Port Jervis Middle School student, the presence of police in school is not only familiar, but comfortable. She said she recognized the officer for what he is - a safety measure. DVHS students are just as equally divided on the new additions to staff as their parents. Even so, the anti-police proponents will have to “take into consideration that the times have changed,” to quote Superintendent Dr. Candis Finan, and hope the new police officer will only be needed for a friendly wave and the occasional license plate check.