Students join effort to fight crime at their school

from Montgomery Advertiser
By Karen Mortensen

(Sept. 20, 2007) -- Brittney Ofield, an eighth-grader at Bellingrath Junior High School, was tired of school functions being canceled because of student discipline problems, so she decided to do something about it.

She joined the school's Youth Crime Watch program.

"We can't have dances and stuff because (students) will start fighting," Brittney said. "I want to help the fighting and gambling stop."

Bellingrath is one of eight Montgomery middle or junior high schools to have an active chapter of the national program through which students help solve behavior problems in their schools.

The Central Alabama Crime Stoppers, the Montgomery public school system, Alabama Crime Prevention, Auburn Montgomery and Montgomery Weed and Seed have collaborated to encourage more schools to develop chapters.

"We saw a need as far as crime prevention in Montgomery Public Schools," said Susan Moss, executive director of Crime Stoppers. "(Youth Crime Watch) is set up the same way as a neighborhood watch program. ... Students look for and help each other."

To form a chapter, principals and counselors select six to 10 students who have good behavior records and at least a "C" average. A Youth Crime Watch adviser also is appointed.

The chapter members then go through training at AUM, where they learn how to spot trouble in their school and how to handle it.

Students report suspicious activities, such as rumors of a fight or weapons on campus. The names of the students are kept confidential.

The students also take active steps to make a positive difference at school by organizing campus cleanups and campaigns against drugs and violence.

"It really has been quite successful in some of our schools," said Letha Maxton, director of student support services for Montgomery Public Schools. "Bellingrath has an outstanding program. ... Those students have really helped it take off."

The program is about students taking a stand and helping their peers, Maxton said.

"It's wonderful for developing leadership skills in students, and it helps instill pride in their schools," she continued.

Justin Shanks, a seventh-grader at McIntyre Middle School, said he joined Youth Crime Watch this year to help stop smoking, fighting and gambling at school, and to keep other students from skipping class.

Justin said he has noticed less gambling and gang activity at McIntyre because of the program.