POLICE CAN HELP SCHOOLS

Police officers have become a growing presence in America's schools, which
is generally a good thing. But there's some question as to whether they are
being used there in the most effective manner.

Thus there has been controversy about how well the DARE program works,
whether it actually does keep kids away from drugs and alcohol. Albany
schools dropped DARE last week, substituting a home-grown program called An
Apple a Day that will put police officers in with students as young as
kindergartners. But it does not seem particularly likely that the alleged
ineffectiveness of DARE can be fixed in this manner.

One benefit of DARE is that it helps police build relationships with
students, and provides the kids with positive role models (presuming the
officers do a good job). That should also be a positive effect of a new
$750,000 grant received by Schenectady schools to put six cops into the
schools (not including the DARE officers).

Schenectady Superintendent John Falco says he expects the officers to
prevent trouble just by their presence. They will also, obviously, be able
to respond quickly to any crimes that may be committed. The district
already had two officers in the schools, and this grant will pay their
salaries and those of four additional ones. So the federal money, which is
actually going to the city and was obtained with the help of Rep. Michael
McNulty, will save taxpayers money as well as helping make the schools safer.

The Police Department also should encourage the officers to obtain
information that may prevent or solve crimes outside the schools, since
such a high proportion of crime is committed by young people. That doesn't
mean police should be heavy-handed, hauling kids out of class to
interrogate them. But if, say, they hear in school on Monday about who
might have committed some burglary or vandalism over the weekend, they
should pass that information on to the investigating detectives.