News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 27, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke, Bergeson announce plans for youth safety summit

SEATTLE - Gov. Gary Locke and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Terry Bergeson today announced plans to appoint a working group of citizens from across the state that would set the stage for a youth safety summit later this summer.

"We must take a broad look at the problems we face, not just at schools but in the communities in which schools exist," Locke said. "We must work to prevent further tragedies by finding ways to address the overall issue of youth violence."

Locke said he plans to work closely with Bergeson to create a group that will take a broad look at the issue of youth violence, not only in schools but also in our communities.

"The working group will tap the knowledge and experiences of the best minds in Washington, conduct public hearings around the state, and make recommendations we can weigh carefully during a summit," Locke said.

"We need to do everything in our power as a state and as a country to make sure schools are a safe place for our kids to learn and teachers to teach," added Bergeson.

Locke said he expects the effort to result in legislative and non-legislative proposals that lead to better coordination among state and local agencies, a greater awareness of the community's role in getting at the root causes of youth violence, and new ways Washington can protect its young people from violence at home, at school and on the street.

Locke said he wants to appoint a working committee of parents, students, school administrators, teachers, law enforcement officers, health and human services professionals, juvenile authorities, business and labor representatives, local elected officials, legislators and others to put together solutions to this complex problem.

Bergeson added, "This is a very complex issue. It is deeper than guns. More than school security. School is the place where these incidents have happened, but it could happen anywhere. It is a societal issue."

Locke noted that just a day before Thursday's shootings in Springfield, he met with Clark County educators in Vancouver to discuss the Re-Entry program operated by Educational Service District 112 for students expelled for weapons offenses.

Clark County's multi-jurisdictional approach of intervention and prevention is an effective way for its communities to cope with youth violence. The summit, Locke said, will be an opportunity for schools and communities all across Washington to learn from these separate efforts and galvanize new initiatives to enhance school and community safety.

"If there is any good that can come from this and the other tragedies that have happened, it is that we coordinate and focus existing efforts on the same goals, that we pool resources and share expertise to benefit all kids," said Bergeson.

» Return to this month's News Releases
» View News Release Archive

Access Washington