School and Police Data Show Progress Against Violence, Suspensions

The youth anti-violence program piloted in George Wythe High School has already produced positive results in only four months, data from the Richmond School District indicates. The Center for Neighborhood Enterprise’s community-based Violence Free Zone initiative was introduced at George Wythe High School in September, 2008. The VFZ program is implemented in the school by CNE’s community partner, The ROC (Richmond Outreach Center). Richmond Public Schools data shows that incidents dropped by 22%, out-of-school suspensions dropped 3%; expulsions dropped 71%; and drop-outs dropped 17% compared to the same period one year ago (see chart, page 2). The results reflect a close collaboration between Richmond Public Schools, the Richmond Police Department, GWHS Principal Willie Bell, school teaching, counseling, and safety staff, School Resource Officers (SRO), and the Violence Free Zone staff.