Statistics show student attacks on staff increase

Tuesday, Oct. 5, 1999 | 11:40 a.m.

Statistics released today by the Nevada Institute for Children reveal violence between students declined by 5.2 percent between 1996 and 1998 but attacks against school staff increased 46 percent.

"It's tough to say why there has been such an increase against staff," Vince Juaristi, director of the UNLV-based institute, said.

He speculated the percentage reflects an increase in reporting of attacks against the staff by students rather than a dramatic increase in the number of actual attacks.

Juaristi said staff are being made more aware of what constitutes violence and are being more diligent about reporting it.

The institute held a press conference this morning at Von Tobel Middle School to release findings of a recent study the organization completed entitled "Youth Violence: Guns, Schools and Program."

Juaristi credited the decrease in school violence among children to increased efforts on the part of the school districts and school police. "One thing is clear," he said. "The school districts are making a good effort. Where we still need work is in the community."

According to the study, which was prompted by the Columbine High School shooting rampage in Littleton, Colo., and similar incidents around the country, gun violence in the Clark County School District declined by 26.3 percent between the 1998-99 and 1997-98 school years.

Seven of the 10 schools with the highest instance of weapons-related violence were middle schools in both Clark and Washoe counties.

In 1998 there were 26 youth homicides, 19 suicides and two accidental deaths due to firearms in Nevada.

According to the FBI, in 1996 Nevada ranked fifth nationally in youth deaths from firearms. Juaristi said the latest ranking is not yet available.

However, in 1997 Nevada was 12th in youth arrests for violent crimes.

Over the past 10 years 361 Nevada children have died from gunshots.

In 1998 643 Nevada youths were arrested for violent crimes including murder, rape, robbery and assault.

The report makes a number of suggestions for the next Legislature including:

Juaristi said Von Tobel Middle School was chosen for the site of today's press conference because the school has reduced its incidence of youth violence by 50 percent.

The dramatic decline is attributed to a number of programs begun by the school that are anti-drug and pro-community as well as tutorial programs and training of teachers in class discipline.