NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Todd Hallidy

Phone: (302) 577-8314

Date: March 7, 2001

A.G. BRADY ISSUES STATEMENT ON SCHOOL VIOLENCE

(Wilmington, DE) - Attorney General M. Jane Brady issued the following statement today in response to the school shootings this week in Santee, CA and Williamsport, PA:

"In light of these tragedies, the public needs to be reminded that in Delaware, education and law enforcement officials have determined that immediate and aggressive action will be taken by school officials, the police and the Attorney General's office in response to any reports of threats to commit violence in our schools. Our goal is to avoid tragedy by dealing with such situations reported to us before violence occurs.

Too often in these cases, the violence is either the end result of, or a response to, a pattern of other abusive behaviors between students. Many times, witnesses say nothing until it is too late. Students who witness threats and bullying need to be encouraged to tell school authorities, the police, 911, or the Delaware School Violence Hotline at 1-800-220-5414. To that end, this office has been sponsoring bully-proofing programs in our schools for more than two years.

It is vitally important that all students play a role in keeping their schools safe. It is far better to call before a tragedy occurs, then to regret not having called for the rest of your life after a tragedy happens."

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