April 6, 2004 CONTACT:
HEALEY, REILLY ENDORSE DATA SHARING TO PROTECT SCHOOLS
Governor’s crime panel recommends increased sharing of information
LOWELL – Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey today endorsed legislation that would ensure the safety of schools across the Commonwealth by promoting collaboration with law enforcement agencies. This legislation is consistent with several important cross-agency information sharing initiatives recommended by the Governor’s Commission on Criminal Justice Innovation.
“Public safety is the government’s first and primary responsibility,” said Healey, joined by Attorney General Tom Reilly at Lowell High School. “The Administration will look to do whatever it can to protect our teachers, counselors and students in public and private schools across the Commonwealth.”
Sponsored by Senators Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) and Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the legislation establishes a community-based juvenile justice program whose purpose would be to promote collaboration among schools, local and state law enforcement agencies and social service providers.
“I want to thank Lt. Governor Healey for her leadership on these important public safety issues,” said Reilly. “I also would like to commend Senator Murray and Senator Tarr for recognizing that when adults work together, we can help troubled children and make sure that schools are safe learning environments for all students.”
The stabbing of Reverend Theodore Brown, an intervention counselor at Springfield High School in December 2001, tragically illustrates the need for this legislation.
In that case, a student – who two years previously stabbed and wounded his mother – killed Reverend Brown during class. There were several officials assigned to case that were aware of the student’s background, but state confidentiality laws prevented the sharing of information. The pending legislation would authorize this to happen.
“Communication among school administrators, juvenile justice professionals, service providers and law enforcement officials is essential to intervening on behalf of at-risk youth,” said Healey. “We must give our educators the tools they need to ensure that our schools are safe and that students and teachers are protected.”
Established to ensure that Massachusetts stays on the cutting edge of law enforcement, the Governor’s Commission on Criminal Justice Innovation recommended an integrated crime-fighting plan that will allow criminal justice data to flow between agencies.
“Sharing critical information is a pivotal part of providing effective public safety. On the national level, it will help us improve homeland security. On the local level, which is the focus of this bill, it will help make our schools and neighborhoods safer,” said Healey.
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