Arrests in Connecticut schools dropped 13.5 percent between 2008 and 2011. But, according to a report released today, there have been hundreds of arrests for minor infractions schools can likely police themselves.
The report, published by New Haven based Connecticut Voices for Children, concludes 11% of all school arrests between 2008 and 2011 were avoidable, including students being arrested for such things as throwing erasers, walking out of class or yelling in the school.
“If the school district and the police aren’t working closely together you’re going to end up with problems. And that’s something that we’ve worked hard on here is to build those relationships build those connections,” says Garth Harries, Superintendent of New Haven Schools.
The average statewide arrest rate is 5.7 arrests per thousand students. New Haven and Hartford come in at 5.9 and 4.7 arrests per thousand students, respectively.
The report also revealed that half of the total arrests made in schools, from 2008 and 2011, came from just 36 schools.