Second Chances: Police Dismantling the School to Prison Pipeline | Kevin Bethel | TEDxCheltenham

I want to begin by asking you an honest

I want to begin by asking you an honest question you don’t have to raise your

question you don’t have to raise your

question you don’t have to raise your hands if you’re not comfortable with

hands if you’re not comfortable with

hands if you’re not comfortable with that but just want to engage in a little

that but just want to engage in a little

that but just want to engage in a little bit of a conversation I many of you have

bit of a conversation I many of you have

bit of a conversation I many of you have walked into a school with a pair of

walked into a school with a pair of

walked into a school with a pair of scissors how many of you maybe walked in

scissors how many of you maybe walked in

scissors how many of you maybe walked in school or got into a conversation with

school or got into a conversation with

school or got into a conversation with your teacher or administrator or someone

your teacher or administrator or someone

your teacher or administrator or someone who’s in authority and maybe have talked

who’s in authority and maybe have talked

who’s in authority and maybe have talked back to that person how many of you may

back to that person how many of you may

back to that person how many of you may have been in school and got into a small

have been in school and got into a small

have been in school and got into a small altercation with someone in school and

altercation with someone in school and

altercation with someone in school and had a conflict with another student in

had a conflict with another student in

had a conflict with another student in school so here’s how that works before

school so here’s how that works before

school so here’s how that works before 1994 in the mid 1990s we all know what

1994 in the mid 1990s we all know what

1994 in the mid 1990s we all know what happened the majority of those kids

happened the majority of those kids

happened the majority of those kids would happen we would go down to our

would happen we would go down to our

would happen we would go down to our principal or disciplinarian and they

principal or disciplinarian and they

principal or disciplinarian and they would give us some demerits or they

would give us some demerits or they

would give us some demerits or they would give you in school out-of-school

would give you in school out-of-school

would give you in school out-of-school suspension now I started out in

suspension now I started out in

suspension now I started out in elementary school in Catholic school I

elementary school in Catholic school I

elementary school in Catholic school I went to public school system so we were

went to public school system so we were

went to public school system so we were told to go to the third floor and see

told to go to the third floor and see

told to go to the third floor and see the nun and usually on the third floor

the nun and usually on the third floor

the nun and usually on the third floor was the biggest nun in the convent and

was the biggest nun in the convent and

was the biggest nun in the convent and she had a yardstick that looked like it

she had a yardstick that looked like it

she had a yardstick that looked like it was six feet not three feet and all of

was six feet not three feet and all of

was six feet not three feet and all of you who come from that setting knows

you who come from that setting knows

you who come from that setting knows what happens let’s fast forward now into

what happens let’s fast forward now into

what happens let’s fast forward now into the 1994 1995 the gun-free act the

the 1994 1995 the gun-free act the

the 1994 1995 the gun-free act the federal gun-free Act is put in place and

federal gun-free Act is put in place and

federal gun-free Act is put in place and now we start to make this transition

now we start to make this transition

now we start to make this transition where we’re going to put police officers

where we’re going to put police officers

where we’re going to put police officers in our schools we’re going to start

in our schools we’re going to start

in our schools we’re going to start addressing what was normal adolescent

addressing what was normal adolescent

addressing what was normal adolescent behavior now is going to now require

behavior now is going to now require

behavior now is going to now require policing so you know coming in school

policing so you know coming in school

policing so you know coming in school with the scissors under the gun-free act

with the scissors under the gun-free act

with the scissors under the gun-free act say listen we all understand that having

say listen we all understand that having

say listen we all understand that having a gun in school does anyone want a gun

a gun in school does anyone want a gun

a gun in school does anyone want a gun in school I don’t have gun in here right

in school I don’t have gun in here right

in school I don’t have gun in here right now but when did a gun become a scissors

now but when did a gun become a scissors

now but when did a gun become a scissors or that Cub Scout knife that you did you

or that Cub Scout knife that you did you

or that Cub Scout knife that you did you like to carry and so we move into this

like to carry and so we move into this

like to carry and so we move into this process where we start to have this you

process where we start to have this you

process where we start to have this you know this process of school with the

know this process of school with the

know this process of school with the Prison Pipeline

Prison Pipeline

Prison Pipeline you know arresting our kids our school

you know arresting our kids our school

you know arresting our kids our school now that’s just a part of it you know

now that’s just a part of it you know

now that’s just a part of it you know the other part is we won’t talk about it

the other part is we won’t talk about it

the other part is we won’t talk about it suspensions and explosives and that is

suspensions and explosives and that is

suspensions and explosives and that is also a driver but for today we talk

also a driver but for today we talk

also a driver but for today we talk about you know the school to Prison

about you know the school to Prison

about you know the school to Prison Pipeline and zero tolerance in our

Pipeline and zero tolerance in our

Pipeline and zero tolerance in our schools and we’re no longer going and

schools and we’re no longer going and

schools and we’re no longer going and we’re not going to deal with the issues

we’re not going to deal with the issues

we’re not going to deal with the issues that drive that and where that’s coming

that drive that and where that’s coming

that drive that and where that’s coming from we’re not going to deal with the

from we’re not going to deal with the

from we’re not going to deal with the issues that when we arrest a child that

issues that when we arrest a child that

issues that when we arrest a child that you know their potential of going on to

you know their potential of going on to

you know their potential of going on to college the collateral consequences that

college the collateral consequences that

college the collateral consequences that goes with that is significant it is

goes with that is significant it is

goes with that is significant it is significant we are and when we look at

significant we are and when we look at

significant we are and when we look at this issue we also have to look at the

this issue we also have to look at the

this issue we also have to look at the issue around racial racial disparity the

issue around racial racial disparity the

issue around racial racial disparity the majority of the kids across this nation

majority of the kids across this nation

majority of the kids across this nation or who are being arrested or

or who are being arrested or

or who are being arrested or african-american Latino kids in some

african-american Latino kids in some

african-american Latino kids in some cases two to three times they’re white

cases two to three times they’re white

cases two to three times they’re white student counterpart why is that why is

student counterpart why is that why is

student counterpart why is that why is everywhere I go across this nation that

everywhere I go across this nation that

everywhere I go across this nation that is the current is a conversation that we

is the current is a conversation that we

is the current is a conversation that we need to be having it’s a conversation

need to be having it’s a conversation

need to be having it’s a conversation that needs to be brought to the top so

that needs to be brought to the top so

that needs to be brought to the top so here’s how I believe I believe that

here’s how I believe I believe that

here’s how I believe I believe that normal adolescent behavior kids should

normal adolescent behavior kids should

normal adolescent behavior kids should be given a second chance

be given a second chance

be given a second chance stick for a minute and because by not

stick for a minute and because by not

stick for a minute and because by not arresting those kids we have the

arresting those kids we have the

arresting those kids we have the potential to improve them and prove

potential to improve them and prove

potential to improve them and prove their academics improve their social

their academics improve their social

their academics improve their social part of that and their well-being and we

part of that and their well-being and we

part of that and their well-being and we can do that both regionally locally and

can do that both regionally locally and

can do that both regionally locally and across this nation you know when I think

across this nation you know when I think

across this nation you know when I think about my the process for me you know I

about my the process for me you know I

about my the process for me you know I was as you heard a Deputy Commissioner

was as you heard a Deputy Commissioner

was as you heard a Deputy Commissioner to fill up the police department for

to fill up the police department for

to fill up the police department for over two almost 29 years I was in the

over two almost 29 years I was in the

over two almost 29 years I was in the police department I retired January of

police department I retired January of

police department I retired January of last year when I moved on to take over

last year when I moved on to take over

last year when I moved on to take over the school diversion program in the city

the school diversion program in the city

the school diversion program in the city of Philadelphia which we work together

of Philadelphia which we work together

of Philadelphia which we work together and it’s a because if we’re going to

and it’s a because if we’re going to

and it’s a because if we’re going to deal with this issue around the school

deal with this issue around the school

deal with this issue around the school to Prison Pipeline it will be a multi

to Prison Pipeline it will be a multi

to Prison Pipeline it will be a multi prong approach it’s going to require all

prong approach it’s going to require all

prong approach it’s going to require all of us in this room to engage and so we

of us in this room to engage and so we

of us in this room to engage and so we became as a collective group that

became as a collective group that

became as a collective group that decided that if let me think about this

decided that if let me think about this

decided that if let me think about this if we train our officers around

if we train our officers around

if we train our officers around adolescent development if we train our

adolescent development if we train our

adolescent development if we train our officers around behavioral health if we

officers around behavioral health if we

officers around behavioral health if we give them tools to be able to do

give them tools to be able to do

give them tools to be able to do something with a child differently than

something with a child differently than

something with a child differently than arrest them give them a second chance

arrest them give them a second chance

arrest them give them a second chance that we could change the trajectory of

that we could change the trajectory of

that we could change the trajectory of that child moving forward and so you

that child moving forward and so you

that child moving forward and so you know oftentimes there’s this myth

know oftentimes there’s this myth

know oftentimes there’s this myth there’s this myth that our young kids

there’s this myth that our young kids

there’s this myth that our young kids are out there just engaged in so much

are out there just engaged in so much

are out there just engaged in so much violence I mean if you look at the media

violence I mean if you look at the media

violence I mean if you look at the media and you look at the news

and you look at the news

and you look at the news you listen to legislator running and the

you listen to legislator running and the

you listen to legislator running and the kids are out there just doing all this

kids are out there just doing all this

kids are out there just doing all this crazy crime you know for those in the

crazy crime you know for those in the

crazy crime you know for those in the room we’ve been around the super

room we’ve been around the super

room we’ve been around the super predator who was supposed to be coming

predator who was supposed to be coming

predator who was supposed to be coming he or she never arrived and so you know

he or she never arrived and so you know

he or she never arrived and so you know I put that your doubt up on the screen

I put that your doubt up on the screen

I put that your doubt up on the screen you see the dot you say what is that

you see the dot you say what is that

you see the dot you say what is that you know what that dot represents that

you know what that dot represents that

you know what that dot represents that dot represents the number of kids in

dot represents the number of kids in

dot represents the number of kids in across this nation who get involved in

across this nation who get involved in

across this nation who get involved in violent crime that sea of black that you

violent crime that sea of black that you

violent crime that sea of black that you see is a ninety five percent of the kids

see is a ninety five percent of the kids

see is a ninety five percent of the kids across this nation who get involved in

across this nation who get involved in

across this nation who get involved in non violent crime a large percentage

non violent crime a large percentage

non violent crime a large percentage that is just minor crimes and in that

that is just minor crimes and in that

that is just minor crimes and in that ninety five percent in all of that is

ninety five percent in all of that is

ninety five percent in all of that is what we know that there’s poverty in our

what we know that there’s poverty in our

what we know that there’s poverty in our communities some people don’t want to

communities some people don’t want to

communities some people don’t want to address that variable we know that

address that variable we know that

address that variable we know that there’s asperities in our community we

there’s asperities in our community we

there’s asperities in our community we know that many of these kids come from

know that many of these kids come from

know that many of these kids come from violent homes poverty and all kinds of

violent homes poverty and all kinds of

violent homes poverty and all kinds of issues in their homes and oftentimes we

issues in their homes and oftentimes we

issues in their homes and oftentimes we put up this the shell as if it doesn’t

put up this the shell as if it doesn’t

put up this the shell as if it doesn’t exist see here here’s the thing people

exist see here here’s the thing people

exist see here here’s the thing people ask you why are you in this space why do

ask you why are you in this space why do

ask you why are you in this space why do you want why do you talk about young

you want why do you talk about young

you want why do you talk about young people yeah I talk about young people

people yeah I talk about young people

people yeah I talk about young people because I could be valve you take that

because I could be valve you take that

because I could be valve you take that slide back I could be them

slide back I could be them

slide back I could be them you’re my mother raised four boys my

you’re my mother raised four boys my

you’re my mother raised four boys my father left when we were babies young

father left when we were babies young

father left when we were babies young kids early is five years old left my

kids early is five years old left my

kids early is five years old left my mother with four boys I remember those

mother with four boys I remember those

mother with four boys I remember those days coming home when there was no gas I

days coming home when there was no gas I

days coming home when there was no gas I remember those days when there was no

remember those days when there was no

remember those days when there was no electricity I remember coming home one

electricity I remember coming home one

electricity I remember coming home one time and the truck is there and they

time and the truck is there and they

time and the truck is there and they take all of our furniture and put it in

take all of our furniture and put it in

take all of our furniture and put it in this truck in it and they take it away

this truck in it and they take it away

this truck in it and they take it away all my mother’s stuff and our trophies

all my mother’s stuff and our trophies

all my mother’s stuff and our trophies never to see it again

never to see it again

never to see it again so I remember it but guess what ladies

so I remember it but guess what ladies

so I remember it but guess what ladies and gentlemen I had people in my life to

and gentlemen I had people in my life to

and gentlemen I had people in my life to help me to give me a chance I think

help me to give me a chance I think

help me to give me a chance I think about my godparents who stepped in to be

about my godparents who stepped in to be

about my godparents who stepped in to be parents to me and my godfather oh who

parents to me and my godfather oh who

parents to me and my godfather oh who took me into a small business and heavy

took me into a small business and heavy

took me into a small business and heavy work after school I remember those

work after school I remember those

work after school I remember those coaches those teachers those

coaches those teachers those

coaches those teachers those administrators all those people in

administrators all those people in

administrators all those people in school who helped me and who gave me

school who helped me and who gave me

school who helped me and who gave me respect who gave me

respect who gave me

respect who gave me so I put that picture of me up on the

so I put that picture of me up on the

so I put that picture of me up on the screen cuz you know what I love school

screen cuz you know what I love school

screen cuz you know what I love school it was a place when things were crazy I

it was a place when things were crazy I

it was a place when things were crazy I had a good house don’t get me I was poor

had a good house don’t get me I was poor

had a good house don’t get me I was poor but my mother made a good house but I

but my mother made a good house but I

but my mother made a good house but I got on that bus because school was a

got on that bus because school was a

got on that bus because school was a place where I wanted to be and school

place where I wanted to be and school

place where I wanted to be and school was a place where I could could survive

was a place where I could could survive

was a place where I could could survive and move on you know that was that place

and move on you know that was that place

and move on you know that was that place for me you know I meant to say in the

for me you know I meant to say in the

for me you know I meant to say in the opening and I bring it back because

opening and I bring it back because

opening and I bring it back because it-it’s too important to miss but listen

it-it’s too important to miss but listen

it-it’s too important to miss but listen ladies and gentleman I didn’t become a

ladies and gentleman I didn’t become a

ladies and gentleman I didn’t become a cop to lock up children become a cop to

cop to lock up children become a cop to

cop to lock up children become a cop to take a ten year old child and put him

take a ten year old child and put him

take a ten year old child and put him and her in a car and take him away

and her in a car and take him away

and her in a car and take him away it’s not why I came into this business

it’s not why I came into this business

it’s not why I came into this business and that’s why it’s so important that I

and that’s why it’s so important that I

and that’s why it’s so important that I believe policing has such a significant

believe policing has such a significant

believe policing has such a significant role and bring about this change so as I

role and bring about this change so as I

role and bring about this change so as I move through my life and I go on to

move through my life and I go on to

move through my life and I go on to school I go on to college let me tell

school I go on to college let me tell

school I go on to college let me tell you I didn’t do too well you know so I

you I didn’t do too well you know so I

you I didn’t do too well you know so I flunk out of college and I go back and

flunk out of college and I go back and

flunk out of college and I go back and get my degrees later on but I leave

get my degrees later on but I leave

get my degrees later on but I leave school and I go back in the community

school and I go back in the community

school and I go back in the community but I’m blessed to be able to come on

but I’m blessed to be able to come on

but I’m blessed to be able to come on the police department cuz I get a chance

the police department cuz I get a chance

the police department cuz I get a chance to come on the police department from

to come on the police department from

to come on the police department from that process on I move through the ranks

that process on I move through the ranks

that process on I move through the ranks and the last seven years I served as

and the last seven years I served as

and the last seven years I served as deputy commissioner in the police

deputy commissioner in the police

deputy commissioner in the police department but over the last five years

department but over the last five years

department but over the last five years of my time and I became that immersed in

of my time and I became that immersed in

of my time and I became that immersed in juvenile justice I needed to know what

juvenile justice I needed to know what

juvenile justice I needed to know what was going on with our young people

was going on with our young people

was going on with our young people what were the drivers what is the trauma

what were the drivers what is the trauma

what were the drivers what is the trauma that wasn’t impacting our young people

that wasn’t impacting our young people

that wasn’t impacting our young people and we’re a resume and avoiding that

and we’re a resume and avoiding that

and we’re a resume and avoiding that because here’s the thing it’s one thing

because here’s the thing it’s one thing

because here’s the thing it’s one thing of a asked a child what did you do let

of a asked a child what did you do let

of a asked a child what did you do let me change that question what happened to

me change that question what happened to

me change that question what happened to you what happened what happened to you

you what happened what happened to you

you what happened what happened to you all too often when we ask that question

all too often when we ask that question

all too often when we ask that question as we get so many different answers you

as we get so many different answers you

as we get so many different answers you know as a result of that I was fortunate

know as a result of that I was fortunate

know as a result of that I was fortunate through the supports of the Philadelphia

through the supports of the Philadelphia

through the supports of the Philadelphia Police Department Commissioner Ross who

Police Department Commissioner Ross who

Police Department Commissioner Ross who was a phenomenal Police Commission of

was a phenomenal Police Commission of

was a phenomenal Police Commission of Philadelphia and his prior Commissioner

Philadelphia and his prior Commissioner

Philadelphia and his prior Commissioner Ramsey working with Department of Human

Ramsey working with Department of Human

Ramsey working with Department of Human Services on the Commissioner Figueroa

Services on the Commissioner Figueroa

Services on the Commissioner Figueroa and her team working with the school

and her team working with the school

and her team working with the school district as part of this process and

district as part of this process and

district as part of this process and part of my stony foundation has given me

part of my stony foundation has given me

part of my stony foundation has given me the opportunity in the foundation to

the opportunity in the foundation to

the opportunity in the foundation to work in this pool to space full time

work in this pool to space full time

work in this pool to space full time let’s say we can do something different

let’s say we can do something different

let’s say we can do something different how do we do that differently we created

how do we do that differently we created

how do we do that differently we created a program to say you know when we go

a program to say you know when we go

a program to say you know when we go into school

into school

into school we’re not gonna arrest that child matter

we’re not gonna arrest that child matter

we’re not gonna arrest that child matter of fact we’re not gonna put them in

of fact we’re not gonna put them in

of fact we’re not gonna put them in cuffs we’re gonna have social workers

cuffs we’re gonna have social workers

cuffs we’re gonna have social workers Department of Human Services social

Department of Human Services social

Department of Human Services social workers who do a phenomenal job go into

workers who do a phenomenal job go into

workers who do a phenomenal job go into those homes and see what’s going on in

those homes and see what’s going on in

those homes and see what’s going on in those houses for those of you in this

those houses for those of you in this

those houses for those of you in this space you know what’s going on in those

space you know what’s going on in those

space you know what’s going on in those houses when we get behind those doors we

houses when we get behind those doors we

houses when we get behind those doors we see all of that trauma you know no gas

see all of that trauma you know no gas

see all of that trauma you know no gas no electric all the things I talked

no electric all the things I talked

no electric all the things I talked about exist in those homes and they work

about exist in those homes and they work

about exist in those homes and they work with those families that get them on

with those families that get them on

with those families that get them on back home track we working with those

back home track we working with those

back home track we working with those families to help them through this

families to help them through this

families to help them through this process and as a result we’re having

process and as a result we’re having

process and as a result we’re having amazing results so let me show you my

amazing results so let me show you my

amazing results so let me show you my results

results

results we went from a school district that was

we went from a school district that was

we went from a school district that was locking up almost 1,600 kids a year

locking up almost 1,600 kids a year

locking up almost 1,600 kids a year majority-owned for those minor

majority-owned for those minor

majority-owned for those minor adolescent offenses and said we know

adolescent offenses and said we know

adolescent offenses and said we know what if we’re giving these kids a second

what if we’re giving these kids a second

what if we’re giving these kids a second chance and let’s see how it works as you

chance and let’s see how it works as you

chance and let’s see how it works as you see we went to a system they did almost

see we went to a system they did almost

see we went to a system they did almost 500 60 and 64 percent reduction and

500 60 and 64 percent reduction and

500 60 and 64 percent reduction and school arrests since the tooth wave 2014

school arrests since the tooth wave 2014

school arrests since the tooth wave 2014 when we started this process 1,400 kids

when we started this process 1,400 kids

when we started this process 1,400 kids are now been diverted who are not

are now been diverted who are not

are now been diverted who are not getting arrested who have no paperwork

getting arrested who have no paperwork

getting arrested who have no paperwork no collateral consequences of that

no collateral consequences of that

no collateral consequences of that arrest you know what it’s also exciting

arrest you know what it’s also exciting

arrest you know what it’s also exciting two other things we have officers in the

two other things we have officers in the

two other things we have officers in the Philip your Police Department who worked

Philip your Police Department who worked

Philip your Police Department who worked the schools who are the ambassadors for

the schools who are the ambassadors for

the schools who are the ambassadors for this program and I could be no more

this program and I could be no more

this program and I could be no more proud of them because they go into

proud of them because they go into

proud of them because they go into eighty percent of those officers say you

eighty percent of those officers say you

eighty percent of those officers say you know what else we need to be doing that

know what else we need to be doing that

know what else we need to be doing that stuff across the nation we need to be

stuff across the nation we need to be

stuff across the nation we need to be doing that stuff across the state this

doing that stuff across the state this

doing that stuff across the state this is too good they keep it in Philadelphia

is too good they keep it in Philadelphia

is too good they keep it in Philadelphia we all should be doing this across the

we all should be doing this across the

we all should be doing this across the process and here’s the oath mother most

process and here’s the oath mother most

process and here’s the oath mother most other siding part when we get into those

other siding part when we get into those

other siding part when we get into those homes we don’t have a judge telling us

homes we don’t have a judge telling us

homes we don’t have a judge telling us that you have to do anything we don’t go

that you have to do anything we don’t go

that you have to do anything we don’t go in there with any stick we go in there

in there with any stick we go in there

in there with any stick we go in there in the Department of Human Services

in the Department of Human Services

in the Department of Human Services social workers do a great job of going

social workers do a great job of going

social workers do a great job of going there talking to those family building

there talking to those family building

there talking to those family building trust with those families and 90% of

trust with those families and 90% of

trust with those families and 90% of those families will engage why because

those families will engage why because

those families will engage why because they need help and when you bring that

they need help and when you bring that

they need help and when you bring that to the doorstep in a respectful way

to the doorstep in a respectful way

to the doorstep in a respectful way you’ll be amazed and shocked how people

you’ll be amazed and shocked how people

you’ll be amazed and shocked how people will respond maze and shop again ladies

will respond maze and shop again ladies

will respond maze and shop again ladies and gentlemen it’s all about a second

and gentlemen it’s all about a second

and gentlemen it’s all about a second chance and so there’s a quote here and

chance and so there’s a quote here and

chance and so there’s a quote here and says change is the only thing we dislike

says change is the only thing we dislike

says change is the only thing we dislike more than things staying the same you

more than things staying the same you

more than things staying the same you all can relate to that

all can relate to that

all can relate to that we want to change it it takes courage

we want to change it it takes courage

we want to change it it takes courage you know sometimes you heard these

you know sometimes you heard these

you know sometimes you heard these conversations from these amazing

conversations from these amazing

conversations from these amazing speakers it takes courage to start to

speakers it takes courage to start to

speakers it takes courage to start to move into that space because I believe

move into that space because I believe

move into that space because I believe we can be the change agents in this

we can be the change agents in this

we can be the change agents in this process from a policing perspective it

process from a policing perspective it

process from a policing perspective it can be those change aces because we can

can be those change aces because we can

can be those change aces because we can dismantle the school that price school

dismantle the school that price school

dismantle the school that price school to Prison Pipeline and it has to be done

to Prison Pipeline and it has to be done

to Prison Pipeline and it has to be done working in a constructive way and so I

working in a constructive way and so I

working in a constructive way and so I make this message to across the board I

make this message to across the board I

make this message to across the board I say to the Chiefs and in law enforcement

say to the Chiefs and in law enforcement

say to the Chiefs and in law enforcement across this nation that you are the

across this nation that you are the

across this nation that you are the change agent as I have been and we have

change agent as I have been and we have

change agent as I have been and we have become that if you go into the space 85%

become that if you go into the space 85%

become that if you go into the space 85% of the kids who come into the criminal

of the kids who come into the criminal

of the kids who come into the criminal justice system come in by police if we

justice system come in by police if we

justice system come in by police if we change if our Chiefs and our law

change if our Chiefs and our law

change if our Chiefs and our law enforcement officers start to understand

enforcement officers start to understand

enforcement officers start to understand that we can deal with the root issues of

that we can deal with the root issues of

that we can deal with the root issues of these young people’s issues problems and

these young people’s issues problems and

these young people’s issues problems and they won’t come back isn’t that the

they won’t come back isn’t that the

they won’t come back isn’t that the better equation you know to my service

better equation you know to my service

better equation you know to my service providers and those are in the room

providers and those are in the room

providers and those are in the room first and foremost I say thank you

first and foremost I say thank you

first and foremost I say thank you I’ll let that sit there for a minute I

I’ll let that sit there for a minute I

I’ll let that sit there for a minute I say thank you because you know over my

say thank you because you know over my

say thank you because you know over my 29 years in law enforcement I was a

29 years in law enforcement I was a

29 years in law enforcement I was a social worker a caseworker a

social worker a caseworker a

social worker a caseworker a psychologist I played those roles I had

psychologist I played those roles I had

psychologist I played those roles I had young people next to me and I played

young people next to me and I played

young people next to me and I played those roles I wasn’t good at I’m not a

those roles I wasn’t good at I’m not a

those roles I wasn’t good at I’m not a professional and so the reality is as I

professional and so the reality is as I

professional and so the reality is as I come to this place we need you we need

come to this place we need you we need

come to this place we need you we need you to teach us how to do this process

you to teach us how to do this process

you to teach us how to do this process help us understand how we can work with

help us understand how we can work with

help us understand how we can work with young people to be a part of this

young people to be a part of this

young people to be a part of this collaboration because collectively we

collaboration because collectively we

collaboration because collectively we can make change to those of you in the

can make change to those of you in the

can make change to those of you in the community I say the time is now for you

community I say the time is now for you

community I say the time is now for you to step up the time for you to be the

to step up the time for you to be the

to step up the time for you to be the advocate so those mothers those

advocate so those mothers those

advocate so those mothers those grandfathers those preachers those wives

grandfathers those preachers those wives

grandfathers those preachers those wives listen we all want our schools to be

listen we all want our schools to be

listen we all want our schools to be safe we all agree with that

safe we all agree with that

safe we all agree with that do you agree with me taking a ten year

do you agree with me taking a ten year

do you agree with me taking a ten year old child because she came went to a

old child because she came went to a

old child because she came went to a metal detector and took a pair of

metal detector and took a pair of

metal detector and took a pair of scissors to the metal detectors keeping

scissors to the metal detectors keeping

scissors to the metal detectors keeping a safe do you believe if I have a child

a safe do you believe if I have a child

a safe do you believe if I have a child who’s been sexually abused and I arrest

who’s been sexually abused and I arrest

who’s been sexually abused and I arrest her and never answered those questions

her and never answered those questions

her and never answered those questions that’s keeping us safe it’s not and so

that’s keeping us safe it’s not and so

that’s keeping us safe it’s not and so you can be that advocate in this process

you can be that advocate in this process

you can be that advocate in this process you can be that advocate and so so

you can be that advocate and so so

you can be that advocate and so so I’ll ask you I started out this

I’ll ask you I started out this

I’ll ask you I started out this conversation asking you three questions

conversation asking you three questions

conversation asking you three questions I’m going to ask you three more now are

I’m going to ask you three more now are

I’m going to ask you three more now are we prepared to stop criminalizing and

we prepared to stop criminalizing and

we prepared to stop criminalizing and putting our youth in in the criminal

putting our youth in in the criminal

putting our youth in in the criminal justice system for coming in school with

justice system for coming in school with

justice system for coming in school with pair of scissors are we prepared to stop

pair of scissors are we prepared to stop

pair of scissors are we prepared to stop criminalizing and bringing our young

criminalizing and bringing our young

criminalizing and bringing our young people in school and into into a prison

people in school and into into a prison

people in school and into into a prison system for having a minor scuffle are we

system for having a minor scuffle are we

system for having a minor scuffle are we prepared to stop criminalizing our young

prepared to stop criminalizing our young

prepared to stop criminalizing our young people and bring them in the criminal

people and bring them in the criminal

people and bring them in the criminal justice system for talking back to

justice system for talking back to

justice system for talking back to someone who who who has a teacher and

someone who who who has a teacher and

someone who who who has a teacher and somebody an administrator I think we are

somebody an administrator I think we are

somebody an administrator I think we are you know so I’ll leave you with a quote

you know so I’ll leave you with a quote

you know so I’ll leave you with a quote by dr. Martin Luther King he says the

by dr. Martin Luther King he says the

by dr. Martin Luther King he says the time is always right to do what is right

time is always right to do what is right

time is always right to do what is right I submit to you the time is right now to

I submit to you the time is right now to

I submit to you the time is right now to give our kids a second chance thank you

give our kids a second chance thank you

give our kids a second chance thank you [Applause]