HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — The Guam Department of Education and the Guam Police Department have joined forces to bolster safety and security in public schools, and that means more police presence at all high school campuses on island.
“What we are advocating is the presence of GPD on GDOE campuses as a deterrent to criminal behavior exhibited by a small percentage of students. GPD is currently using its village safety officers (VSOs) to support all the high schools during critical times of the day, e.g., before school, lunch and after school. At other times of the day, the respective precincts are also having patrol officers visit schools to provide support,” GDOE spokeswoman Maria Reyes-Burrier told The Guam Daily Post.
The VSOs are from the Neighborhood Patrol Division, according to GPD spokesperson Officer Berlyn Savella, who noted they serve as an additional resource to increase the presence of law enforcement on school premises.
The security measure comes in light of threats to the safety and well-being of students and staff who were to participate in the Rebuild Sanchez rally last week, which was ultimately canceled due to a student’s threat on social media to “shoot up” the rally.
“The cancellation of the … rally was a decisive measure to ensure the safety of all involved, reflecting the school’s commitment to its community,” Reyes-Burrier said.
The student’s threat was allegedly a joke, however, education officials said the student’s arrest underscored the importance of collaboration and taking every threat seriously.
“Such incidents also highlight the broader societal issue of the impact of social media on school safety, reminding us of the need for vigilance and the importance of reporting any suspicious activity to authorities. The community’s proactive approach in this situation likely prevented a potentially dangerous event and reinforced the collective responsibility to safeguard our educational institutions,” Reyes-Burrier said.
GDOE has the following safety measures in its toolbox to ensure student and staff safety in the educational environment:
• No bags policy: This helps to ensure that no potentially harmful items are brought onto the school premises.
• Controlled entry points: By restricting entry, it becomes easier to monitor who is entering the school, thereby enhancing security.
• Search upon entry: Searching students as they enter can prevent contraband or dangerous items from being brought into the school.
• Police presence: The presence of GPD officers can serve as a deterrent to potential threats and provide a quick response if an incident occurs.
Reyes-Burrier said, “These precautions, while possibly inconvenient, are designed to create a secure environment for students and staff. Safety protocols like these are part of a broader effort to protect educational spaces from various threats.”
On Thursday, GDOE shared on Facebook that the two agencies met and visited school facilities.
“The visit marks the continuous collaborative effort to reinforce and uphold peace and order on our school grounds,” said GDOE following the meeting.
“By working closely together, these agencies can swiftly address any potential threats or emergencies that arise, ensuring a coordinated and efficient response,” Reyes-Burrier said.
According to Reyes-Burrier, the collaboration extended to the establishment of clear communication channels and protocols for immediate action and support when needed.
“Furthermore, initiatives like meet-and-greets are essential for building relationships and familiarizing each department with the key contacts in the other, which is invaluable when quick responses to situations are required. This proactive approach to safety underscores the commitment of both GPD and GDOE to provide a secure learning environment for all,” Reyes-Burrier said.
“Given the recent threat posted on social media, which circulated rapidly, it is important we routinely meet with our GDOE partners to effectively maintain communication. These meetings are opportunities to discuss concerns within our public schools and enhance preparedness and response. Our partnership encompasses various levels of training, proactive measures and effective communication strategies,” Savella said.
The Guam Department of Education headquarters in Tiyan on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.
