AG OPTIMISTIC ABOUT VIOLENCE

Some Programs Are Successful At Curbing Danger

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS - District attorneys from Colorado gathered at the
Sheraton Steamboat Resort Monday to learn about the status of youth
violence in the state and how to further implement positive programs.

Delbert Elliott of the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at
the University of Colorado at Boulder and Colorado Attorney General Ken
Salazar toured the state last year to talk with students, administrators
and law enforcement about youth violence and its prevention in each community.

"We in Colorado need to be leading the country in youth violence
prevention," Salazar said.

Elliott said the presentation is part of an effort to encourage district
attorneys to become more involved in programs that can benefit their
communities.

"My hope is to urge communities to start looking at these kinds of programs
(that work)," Elliott said.

Many school districts around Colorado, including Steamboat Springs, have
implemented a Safe School Program, which came out of the Safe Community,
Safe School Initiative after the shootings at Columbine High School in
Littleton.

Elliott presented information to the audience on what a safe school looks
like and how districts can begin to change behavior.

Elliott said safe schools have high academic standards, clear rules and
policies that are fairly enforced, parent involvement, effective
community-school partnerships, afterschool programs and a promotion of good
citizenship and character.

Elliott also suggested a safe school plan that allowed a planning team of
administrators, teachers, parents, law enforcement, students and mental
health professionals to assess the school, develop a crisis response team
and provide programs for all.

"In Columbine, parents knew some things about Eric Harris and Dylan
Klebold, law enforcement knew some things . and the kids knew things,"
Elliott said. "But no one knew all those things."

Elliott listed programs to prevent general delinquency that didn't work
(boot camps, gun buybacks or shock probation) and those that did work
(school-based programs such as bullying programs or community-based
programs such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters).

Salazar said after his and Elliott's tour last fall, they made three
observations:

. Issues facing young people have no boundaries.

. Drugs and alcohol are huge problems in every community.

. And many students are disconnected from meaningful adult relationships.

Salazar told fellow district attorneys about a drug deal gone wrong in Dove
Creek, where a student was shot 19 times, execution-style.

"You wouldn't think that community would have that kind of violence,"
Salazar said.

Salazar also said not enough parents are involved and community
organizations are not utilized in their most effective purposes.

"But unlike 10 to 15 years ago, things have changed. There are programs
that do work," Salazar said.

"There's a new sense of community consciousness waiting to create solutions
to problems."