Hate crimes on school campuses a concern of security firm





With violence played out nightly on newscasts from the Middle East and racial stereotyping against Muslims still simmering from the incidents of Sept. 11, the "fringe edge" of today’s youth will bring its anger and alienation onto school campuses as school reopens this fall, according to John Nagy, president of the Westlake Village and Encino-based Nagy Security Services.


Nagy is a retired 23-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. His company oversees security on 30 private elementary, middle school and high school campuses statewide.


"Schools are often a canvas for the expression of rage today," Nagy said. "Our concerns are not just for schools with a predominantly Jewish population. In this climate, angry youngsters will use the blank wall of a school to vent their feelings, no matter what the choice of sentiment. Thus, all schools are prospective targets."


Hate crimes include threatening phone calls, defacing or destroying personal property or buildings, hate mail, bomb threats, threats of physical harm or intimidation, physical assault, arson, vandalism, graffiti, cross burnings and destruction of religious symbols, according to Nagy, who said he is taking steps to help his campus clients prepare and prevent such security breaches.


Nagy pointed out that often racial and ethnic incidences begin with bullying and slurs. In a study by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, 10 percent of students in a random survey of 136 reported being bullied at least once a week and 79 percent claimed to have been bullied sometime during the previous year.


Nagy’s security business has devised a number of strategies for campus protection that will be put into play at area schools this fall. Among the recommendations will be:


•Develop a Hate Crimes Policy and Procedures Manual for each campus including information on all relevant statutes and appropriate punishments.


•Conduct briefings for staff on how to spot bullying or prospective troublemakers, as well as preventing or defusing incidences.


•Hold a student seminar on tolerance and hate-prevention training as soon as students have returned.


•Provide a forum for students to safely and confidentially report bullying and racial/ethic threats.


•Identify and monitor activities and locations in which trouble is likely to occur.


•Increase guard patrols if warranted, at least through the first few weeks of school.


"Taking preventive steps can be the difference for many schools," Nagy said. "This year especially, we will work without clients well in advance to create a clear and concise plan of action. We believe that administrators, security staff, parents, students and community youth leaders can all play a role in keeping schools safe from hate crimes."



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