Hello all, I think that Jennifer raises an important issue. I'd like to broaden it to suggest that SPPD's use of Tasers as "less dangerous options," as Tim terms it, should be re-examined. Nobody really knows what kind of health risks Tasers actually pose, making it difficult to set guidelines to prevent the abuse of Tasers. Several mainstream press articles have reported over 70 people nationally dying following stun-gun use since Taser's newest gun--the one I understand is used by most police departments--was introduced in 2000. Based on analyses like this, Amnesty International (including the St. Paul chapter, if memory serves) has come out for a moratorium on tasers until an independent investigation can be conducted into their use and effects. Amnesty specifically noted the ease by which Tasers can be misused on suspects already in custody, because electric shocks leave no permanent markings and thus are not easily investigable.
Specifically, Tasers seem a poor choice in school environments because Taser's effects are especially not known among children. Because of this, and after the death of a fetus when a pregenant woman was Tasered, Canada has already banned the use of Tasers on children, and other countries are following suit. We do know, though, that children's hearts are more significantly impacted to sudden volts of electricity---the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association don't even recommend the use of Automatic External Difbrillators (AEDs) on children under the age of 8; there are reports in Miami and Cinncinati of 8-9 year olds being Tasered. For older children, there are no long-term studies to determine how sudden volts of electricity affect their neurological, cardiovascular or skeletal muscle development. And there's certainly evidence that the temptation to misuse Tasers among police officers is there---there's already a Madison case, reported in the Pioneer Press, in which an officer used a taser on a 14-year-old boy in school not because the boy posed a lethal threat to the officer, but because the kid was running away from the cop. What standards or guidelines prevent this sort of thing from happening in St. Paul schools? I was quite frankly surprised to hear of SPPD using Tasers. Does anyone know if there any kind of a process in which community members could comment on this new practice? Moreover---and this may be a good question for you, Anne---if Tasers must be in our schools, does the St. Paul School Board have the authority to set standards under which tasers should and should not be used? Of course, these questions don't even go into the broader issue of using such force in our schools. The city of Bloomington, IN recently had to fork over a $500,000 settlement in a Taser case. It is paramount to ensure that St. Paul schools are safe for families, students, teachers and staff, but we also need to know if the "nonlethal alternatives" used towards that end are not actually opening our schools and our city up to lawsuits. With today's tight budgets (the City is already cutting staff at rec centers and libraries, is not replacing firefighters/police as they retire, the list goes on), this is an even greater concern. Until we know more about Tasers--their effects, and develop best practices in how they should be used--they seem a financial liability to the City and our public schools, and a liability for police/community relations. Erin Stojan Dayton's Bluff Anne Carroll <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Some clarification is in order: What weapons or "tools" police officers do or do not carry is determined by the Police Department, with whom the school district contracts to provide School Resource Officers (SROs) in our secondary schools. The SROs in St. Paul already carry guns, and just added tasers. Each also carries a nightstick and chemical irritant. The Board has no discretion over the officers' "tools," uniforms, vehicles, etc., though we do approve the overall contract and could chose to not renew it -- which is another conversation entirely. The Police Dept informed the School Board, superintendent, principals, and other administrators about the addition of tasers earlier this week, and principals informed staff that day. I would guess that most principals did not feel it was necessary to formally notify students and families about this change. I can understand how people feel about this, and I did also until I recalled that they already carry guns, etc., which again could lead to other discussions. In the meantime, I certainly apologize to any students/families who are upset that they were not informed or consulted in advance, and would be happy to discuss this further if anyone would like to contact me. As always, I can be reached at 651-690-9156 or by email. Thanks. -- Anne Carroll, St. Paul School Board ------------------------------------------------------------ Anne R. Carroll Carroll, Franck & Associates Public Involvement, Strategic Planning, Communications 1357 Highland Parkway St. Paul, MN 55116 USA [EMAIL PROTECTED] 651-690-9162 School Board: 651-690-9156 "The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice." -- Martin Luther King, Jr. "...You will be more credible and you will be more powerful if you do not separate the lives you live from the words you speak." -- Paul Wellstone "A politician worries about the next election. A true states[wo]man worries about the next generation, and children yet unborn." - e.e. cummings _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [email protected] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ ------------------------------------------ Erin Stojan Dayton's Bluff, Ward 7 --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Easier than ever with enhanced search. 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