Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) "There's only so much we can do in school." Buffalo School Board member Larry Scott was discussing recent violent incidents involving Buffalo teens on WBEN Thursday.
"I need to speak to parents and the community. We need your help on this.
There needs to be accountability at home for your children."
In recent weeks there has been an increase in violence at schools, at football games, the downtown library and businesses where curfews and chaperone policies have been implemented due to an increase in disruptive behavior.
The Buffalo School Board held a special meeting Wednesday night on student safety.
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In a 90 minute presentation, Buffalo Schools Superintendent Dr. Tonja Williams discussed new prevention techniques and de-escalation training that will be introduced this school year.
Fights, violence, police being called to intervene, is not just a city of Buffalo issue. It's happening in suburban districts as well.
He estimates that 90% of students are coming to school everyday ready to learn. In his opinion, 10% or less of students are exhibiting significant to severe behavior issues that become challenging and threatening to school environments.
Larry Scott was quick to link screen time and social media to behavior issues in teens.
"Social media needs to be better regulated," he said. "Our kids are being led in the wrong direction. No child should be going to bed with a device or phone. That device should be kept out of their room so they're not engaging in something that is inappropriate. It's something that, even as adults, we struggle with. We've become obsessed with our phones and devices. For a child, with an immature brain, it's even more difficult to regulate what's appropriate on social media. They need adults to step up and do that."
Scott told WBEN the district added 79 security officers last year. They're hoping to get to 137 by June of 2025. Thirty applicants are currently waiting to be processed by the city.