School Safety Record in Virginia

Did you know that:

The most current data available on school safety in Virginia indicates that we have successfully reduced the numbers of crimes and guns in our schools. The Virginia Department of Education’s Annual Report on Incidents of Crime, Violence and Substance Abuse in Virginia’s Public Schools (October 1998) shows significant decreases in the following categories of incidents:

• Threats against Staff by Students
• Possession of Firearms
• Possession of Non-firearm Weapons
• Possession of Look-alike Weapons

Did you know that:

• Detailed safety information (collected and reported on a school-wide basis) is being distributed in Virginia’s First Annual School Performance Report Cards.

Did you know that:

• The Governor’s Office on Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities this year secured increased funding of $1 million in state tax funds to bolster federal funding for school resource officers in public schools. Officers assigned to schools serve important safety roles as law enforcement, school staff, and role models for students.

The Commonwealth of Virginia has partnered with the Virginia Information Providers Network (VIPNet), GTE Virginia, and Bell Atlantic Virginia to create the 4 Safe Va Program. GTE Virginia and Bell Atlantic Virginia are the co-sponsors of the toll free hotline, 1-877-4-SAFE-VA. VIPNet is hosting this Internet site. We gratefully acknowledge their contribution toward the safety of the school children of Virginia.