Security, school safety scrutinized
at session
Michelle Lohmann
The Daily Illini |
| Attorney General Jim Ryan speaks at a meeting
discussing the crime task force on local community problems
at the Champaign train station on Monday afternoon. |
Illinois Attorney Jim Ryan met with local
legislators and crime enforcement officials in Champaign on Monday
to address drug use on college campuses and other crime prevention
issues.
The meeting was held among members of a crime task force that included
Ryan, candidate for state representative Tom Berns, Champaign County
State's Attorney John Piland, Champaign County Sheriff David Madigan
and Urbana Chief of Police Eddie Adair.
Ryan spoke of the increase in the use of ecstasy, GHB, a date rape
drug, and hydrous ammonia, which is being stolen from farms for use
in methamphetamine labs throughout Illinois.
"It seems no matter our best efforts, we still have a serious drug
problem in Illinois," Ryan said. "Which is not to say we haven't made
some progress, but we could make some more progress."
Adair said the presence of students in the area might be contributing
to increased drug use.
"I do think (drug use) is a growing problem, primarily because of
the University," Adair said.
Piland focused on the rise in methamphetamine use and manufacturing
in Illinois.
"We really can't say that we have a horrible meth problem, but we'd
be crazy to say that we won't have a meth problem. It's getting worse,
and it's a problem that affects rural areas more then it affects cities."
Ryan noted that GHB is increasingly becoming a recreational drug,
and cited two recent deaths from ecstasy. He said that legislation
is being introduced that would make penalties for drug-related crimes
more harsh.
He also said that preventative measures should be taken in order to
curb drug use, including making schools safer.
"One of the best ways to prevent crime is to invest in our children,"
Ryan said. "If you don't have a safe school, by definition, you can't
have a good school."
He said that over $14 million has been given to Illinois schools in
"new money" to improve school security — including the use of metal
detectors and police protection — and preventative education. Ryan
also said penalties for possessing a gun in schools would be toughened
and that a phone line had been set up for students who suspected other
students of carrying weapons.
"We may have saved some lives already," through the tip line, Ryan
said. He also said that Illinois' school safety programs are among
"the more progressive in the nation."
Also on the topic of child safety, the task force addressed exploitation
of children on the Internet.
"I think we're just hitting the tip of the iceberg on this problem,"
Sheriff Madigan said.
Ryan pointed out the effectiveness of the Sexually Violent Persons
Act, which ensures that sexual offenders who have not received proper
treatment are not able to be released from prison.
He also talked of the importance of preventing domestic and family
abuse.
"We are never going to be able to control crime on the streets if
we can't control violence in our own homes," Ryan said.
He said more funding is being given to battered women's shelters and
child advocacy groups to help address the problem.
The Victims Automated Notification System was a program Ryan brought
up when discussing victim's rights. The system gives victims a phone
number they can call to find the incarceration status of their attacker
and also informs victims when their attackers are about to be released
from prison. Ryan said that more money is being given to help set
up the system in Illinois, and that he would like to see more communities
implement it in the future.
The tip line number for students who feel threatened by violence in
school is 1-800-477-0024.
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