Delco held its safe schools collaboration opening meeting

Delaware County officials, school administrators and law enforcement on Thursday launched a new Delco Safe Schools Collaborative initiative aimed at addressing safety, security and behavioral health issues in schools throughout the county and state.

“The creation of this collaboration was sparked by the Legislature’s action in passing Act 33 last year, but its existence is first and foremost a reflection of our determination as a district to do everything we can to keep our children safe,” the District Attorney said. Jack Stollsteimer served as the inaugural event facilitator. “As tragic stories of school violence emerge across the country, we become increasingly aware of the complex challenges facing school administrators.”

Act 33, passed last year, encouraged districts to develop and promote best practices for emergencies in school settings through a preparedness planning approach.

“We want to make sure we coordinate our emergency responders and law enforcement resources in a way that maximizes our ability to support our schools and communities,” Stollsteimer said.

The meeting took place two days later Upper Darby Police responded to a possible armed threat from a student at Upper Darby High School. No gun was found, but two students were detained for questioning about the gun stolen from the car.

Although Thursday’s event had been planned for several months and was not triggered by this event, it still served to highlight the need for collaboration between educators, law enforcement and emergency services.

The event was co-hosted by Delaware County Emergency Services, the county District Attorney’s Office, and the hosting Delaware County Intermediate Unit. Representatives from more than a dozen school districts and 18 law enforcement agencies, including municipal police departments and the Pennsylvania State Police, attended the meeting.

District Council President Dr. made the opening speech among the participants of the meeting. Along with Monica Taylor were Nether Providence Police Chief David Splain, Folcroft Police Chief William Bair and Emergency Services Director Edward Beebe, who hosted a panel discussion on challenges and opportunities. .

Some of the issues raised during the first panel discussion included outdated technology and the need for open, constant communication with the community, as well as “real-time” issues facing interventionists, such as access to existing floor plans and keys to all school buildings.

The collaboration will meet quarterly, with the next meeting expected to be held in February.

“Especially in a county like ours with more than 40 separate police departments, 17 school districts, and dozens of private schools and child care facilities, the collaboration that Bill 33 proposes is vital,” Taylor said. “That’s why we established this collaboration. We want to share expertise, provide training and develop protocols where necessary. Most importantly, we want to spark a robust and open debate on this critically important issue.”