Judge says school bus behavior disgraceful
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“I think parents would be dumbfounded if they watched this tape,” said Ross after viewing the in-bus video as part of the evidence in a case he heard. “The conduct of many of the passengers was unbelievable, even the language you could hear on the audio part.”
The case heard by Ross involved a passenger who stabbed a fellow bus rider in the ear with a cat-tail comb. The video, which reportedly captured the crime, led to the commitment of the perpetuator.
It was while viewing the tape, Judge Ross said he noticed the behavior of not only the offender, but also the other passengers on the bus. One small child, Ross noted, could be heard cursing constantly on the audio part of the tape.
“I’d really like to have the school board view this tape,” Ross said. “I was really surprised by what I saw.”
In light of Ross’ request, Director of Transportation Melissa Orrick said she welcomes any support the court, or the school system, could provide in helping with the 2,800 students the system transports on its fleet of 55 buses every school day.
“I don’t think people have a clue as to what problems we face, not only from students but also from parents,” Orrick said. “Sometimes we wonder where a child gets their conduct from until we meet the parent who cusses us out or makes threats.”
Orrick agrees there are behavioral issues on buses, just as there are on buses in most other counties. However, limitations on sanctions against offending students and an apparent lack of discipline being offered by parents, has caused a widespread lack of respect for authority.
“They know they’re on video. It’s just that many of them don’t care,” Orrick said. “We can sit here and show parents, on video, what their children are doing and the parent will blame it on the school or someone else.”
Orrick said the problems on buses are average problems dealt with everywhere.
“It’s typical stuff we saw when we rode the bus, just more of it nowadays because of disrespect,” Orrick said, noting there is no stiff punishment for offenders. “We don’t put children off a bus anymore, and really all we can do is turn it in to the principal or assign seats.”
As far as enforcement, Orrick said the advent of cameras on all buses has been great in identifying offenders. Orrick noted parents, teachers and bus drivers can request a viewing of a video at any time. However, there is no way school officials would have time to randomly view films on a regular basis.
As far as improving safety on buses, Orrick said things which may be considered in the near future include stricter disciplinary policies for those misbehaving, and the use of trained volunteer aides who would ride along to help squelch troublemakers.