Local Elementary Student Put In Handcuffs (WV)

[ohio_liberal]

This one is local to me. Sorry if this a dupe, I didn't see it posted anywhere.

http://www.wtov9.com/news/4417690/detail.html


School officials and Bethlehem police say a 7 year old student at Bethlehem Elementary School was put in handcuffs on Thursday April 21, 2005 because he was putting himself and the rest of the school in danger.

School officials say the student was disobeying his teacher and his principal. It is the school's policy to call the school resource officer when situations become too much to handle. The resource officer on call was unavailable, so the school adhered to it's policy again -- calling on the Bethlehem Police Department for help next.

The Chief of Police, August Bankey, handled the situation. He says the boy was running up and down the hallways, banging on doors, and kicking at him. Bankey says the boy ran outside, through the school fence, and was headed for the street. The Chief says that's when he felt the child's safety was really in danger and the best thing to do to restrain him was to place him in handcuffs.

Bankey says the handcuffs were placed on gently and fastened loosely. The handcuffs were left on for about a minute and taken off when the boy agreed to behave.

[whistle]

1. Was this child a member of a minority group?

...no video tape of this one I'll bet.

[ohio_liberal]

3. No video tape

The report doesn't say if the child is a minority or not.

[SouthernDem2004]

46. WHO CARES? Why does that make a difference?

[whistle]

47. Because there seems to be a return of a pattern of persecution

...and provocation against minorities whether children or adults along with the use of major restraint measures and even force which is then documented and widely broadcast through the mass media. Plain and simply said, it's racism rearing its ugly head once more, especially here in the south. It makes a big difference, because there are still laws protecting minorities against this sort of thing.

[SouthernDem2004]

48. Aye but you are basing this on one incident involving a 5 year old

child. I saw no racisim there.

Handcuffs are not major restraint measures. A restraint vest or hog tying are major restraint measures.

[ohio_liberal]

49. In following up on this story

I did learn that the child is a minority.

Here's more, and there is indeed more to this story than originially written:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3552423


And I'd also like to note that not only is the school defending itself, but the entire village administration is playing CYA with the local media.

[femme.democratique]

2. How can this be happening? Did this BS always happen and we just...

...ignored it? I feel like we're in a nightmare scenario....

[ohio_liberal]

5. My guess

It's probably been happening a lot in just the last few years. I don't know about nationally, but locally the school administration would've handled this themselves. Things have changed.

[dsc]

4. This sounds like a real out of control kid

and the school made the right call as did the police if the facts here are true.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

7. So, handcuffs are the only way to "restrain" a child? Interesting.

[dsc]

9. He is a cop

His other options are choke holds and the like of that. I would prefer cuffs to those options. I guess he could have let the kid get run over.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

13. I suppose that the teachers and administrators of the school could....

...have used all of that educational and real-world experience to calm the child without calling the police in the first place.

Gee...what a novel line of thought.

[dsc]

18. Do you think teachers have only one student at a time?

This kid was running up and down the hall, kicking doors, and causing a major league ruckus. Their resource officer was unavailable (I am assuming he or she is shared) and thus they called the cops. Believe it or not, there is more than one kid in that school and the rest of them deserve something other than having a seven year old acting out.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

20. Have you ever been a teacher? What do you personally know about....

...the public school system today?

[dsc]

21. Yeah I am in my fifth year

care to swap stories. I also subbed, including in elementary SBH units for 8 years. Care to swap stories.

[ohio_liberal]

23. I dunno about WV

but on this side of the border my local school's admins will call the parents or emergency contact before they call the cops.

[ohio_liberal]

26. There's normally one per district

and they're planted at the high schools.

[dsc]

27. My district, which encompasses a county,

has one at each of the three high schools, and one at each of the 6 middle schools. But at least our high school one is only for our high school he never goes anywhere else. No elementary schools no nothing.

[ohio_liberal]

31. The county mentioned in this article

is small and only has one school district and a Catholic school system. The high school is gigantic, in the middle of nowhere, and the kids are all bussed in from all the county. You couldn't pay me to send my kids there. My county just across the OH border has 7 school districts and one paid resource officer, a deputy sheriff, per district. Truthfully they don't get much action. I think their main purpose is to deter bad behavior in the high schools.

[dsc]

32. Until this spate of cases on here

I never heard of resource officers for elementary schools. My county has some real problem middle schools and my high school is close to out of control (we have a massive number of teachers leaving). I thank God every day for our resource officer and the fact he isn't shared (and never sick which is unreal).

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. We need to help these folks see the alternative

In this case, it would have been watching this child run out in the street and get hit by a car. So I would agree, the handcuffs apparently calmed him down and kept him from getting hurt. And only for a minute? - When the cops come visit schools and show off the handcuffs and all their other cool stuff, they always have at least one kid who wants to be handcuffed. They have them on for maybe a minute. No harm done.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

15. The kid didn't ask to be cuffed, did he? Did I miss something?

[proud2BlibKansan]

33. Point is

the cuffs were only on for a minute. And they calmed him down and prevented him from running out into the street.

I just saw this story on Countdown. Once again, it was not the first time the local police had been called to help control this child. What concerns me more than the handcuffs is the fact that kids as young as this are so out of control that cops need to be called in the first place.

[bpilgrim]

12. handcuffing children clearly demonstrates how sick we are as a society

specially when liberals think this is a smart idea :crazy:

i hope i can get my children out of this sick nation before it's too late.

peace

[dsc]

14. dead handcuffed, dead handcuffed

Gee I can't choose. The kid was literally running the street.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

22. Right. Maybe we should handcuff ALL children to protect them....

...from themselves.

[ohio_liberal]

24. I wonder what would happen

if I physically restrained my child where someone could see it. Should I break out the duct tape and see how long it takes DCS to show up?

[dsc]

28. duct tape is much more dangerous and painful

than loose fitting handcuffs.

[dsc]

25. If they are all running into oncoming traffic, then yes

the article makes it clear he was running toward the street. I also said, very clearly, if the facts as stated are true. Thus, I feel that if a kid is running into the street he should be handcuffed if that is what it takes to get him not to do that.

[bpilgrim]

42. black&white thinking

another scary sign.

i don't wanna live in a society that reduces EVERYTHING to simplistic & brutal binary 'logic' and where the only options are to cage'm or taser'm for their own 'safety' even children :crazy:

we are in real bad shape when even liberals see this as NORMAL or worse for our own good :scared:

peace

[dsc]

45. He was running into traffic then and there

This cop made a split second decision. I happen to think it was the right one. But even if for the sake of argument it wasn't, just what would you have done if you had been him?

[ohio_liberal]

59. Actually

He was running from the cop because a cop told him earlier "If I have to come back here, you're going to jail".

[mandyky]

29. The kid is SEVEN

My son is 8 and autistic spectrum and we went through the running away stuff at school. I told them at home I wrapped him in a blanket to restrain him (his arms etc). I sent a blanket in but they were afraid to use it, I think. I would be pissed as hell if they called the cops and they handcuffed him, but I am glad they caught the kid before he reached the street.

My son is now in special ed, and his teacher is working wonders with him. He is calming down a lot at home too.

[dsc]

30. and I bet your kid has an aide

which stays with him full time. I am assuming this kid didn't. There is a difference between a recognized handicap like your kid has and just running amok like that kid did.

[bpilgrim]

43. chaining children is a BARBARIC restraint and it pains me to see it pithil

endorsed on here.

it would make me feel better to hear that you were at least outraged by the recent 5 yo case that was still on the frontpage of LBN as of today...

Video shows police handcuffing 5-year-old (FL)

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/04/22/Southpinellas/Video_shows_police_ha.shtml

peace

[dsc]

44. she should not have been cuffed as she was calm when the cops got there

the school had the right to call the cops since the parent left very little choice but the cops should have been sensible.

[B Calm]

6. I was handcuffed in high school. A friend and I were skipping

school during our sophmore year. Policeman had us in his car and was getting ready to call the school when we dashed from his car into a nearby woods. A little later we got brave and was trying to get home but he caught us. This time he handcuffed us, drove us to the high school and walked us into Dean's office..

[Media_Lies_Daily]

10. Were you 7 years old in high school?

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. And were you damaged for life

because you were handcuffed? Or did you calm down and learn your lesson?

[Media_Lies_Daily]

17. The high school kids broke the truancy laws....what law was the....

...7-year-old breaking?

What lesson do you think the 7-year-old learned?

[proud2BlibKansan]

34. Vandalism,

kicking a police officer (I think they call that assault). I also think a case can be made for disturbing the peace.

Hopefully he learned that running wild through a school, tearing it up and kicking a police officer is NOT okay.

[B Calm]

19. I learned DETENTION SUCKS

[proud2BlibKansan]

35. And I would bet

you never skipped school or ran away from a cop again.

[MADem]

16. Much better article here--sounds like a great cop, IMHO

http://theintelligencer.net/news/story/0426202005_new1student.asp
It was not the first time this kid had acted up and the cops were called, either:

"I tried to catch him and talk to him," Bankey said. "He refused to stop. When I did get him in toward the lunch room, there was another gentleman there, and he got away from that gentleman. He ran down the hallway yelling."

Bankey added that he and nearby teachers tried to get the boy to the end of the hallway so he could be stopped.

"He started beating on the door of a classroom," the chief continued. "I told him to come with me. He started to kick at me. I restrained him in handcuffs and sat him in a chair. I told him, 'If you behave and talk to me, I'll take the handcuffs off.'"

The boy reportedly agreed to talk to Bankey about what caused him to become upset, so the chief removed the handcuffs. "I slid the cuffs off his arms," he said. "They weren't on tight. I didn't lock them down. We went to the media center and talked."

Ohio County Schools Assistant Superintendent George Krelis said the Bethlehem Elementary staff followed the school's protocol to call authorities in that situation.

Bankey also noted that the boy's parents came to the school to meet with him and a member of the district administration....

[tjdee]

36. You know what, let's just send them to jail.

Next time handcuffing won't be enough for this kid.

I mean, there's NO other way to handle these out of control children, they're just so out of control. I bet they'd sing a different tune if they got to do some hard time!

:eyes:

I don't fault the police chief in this case--but he should not have been called. I realize that's the bylaws or whatever, but we should not be calling law enforcement in for children unless they are very dangerous (I think we all know what that is).

[dsc]

37. The kid was literally running into the street

I can see why cuffing the girl was an over reaction but here I really don't. This kid could well be dead if he hadn't been cuffed.

[tjdee]

38. In this case, I'm less agitated about it, surely.

Don't know if you caught my edit, but I really don't fault the police chief for doing what he did. Obviously the kid didn't run into the street, the police chief calmed him down, etc.

I just have a major problem with law enforcement being involved. It gives me a really creepy feeling, and I don't think it's healthy for our society. I don't think they were calling cops in to deal with troublemakers thirty years ago.

[dsc]

39. probably not

but we also didn't have Columbine 20 years ago. I admit that the idea of even shared resource officers for elementary schools does blow my mind. In Cleveland we had a security force and in both Ashtabula and here we have resource officers at the high school level. We did have to call the cops on one elementary kid when I subbed, he had literally molested a girl and her parents insisted on cop involvement.

[tjdee]

40. Now *that*, I'd call the police for.

You raise a good point...when I was in high school, we had four security officers (who basically...smoked with the smoking kids...but anyway).

I am curious if that is going to soon become the norm for elementary schools now. Or if it is now?

[dsc]

41. I am beginning to gather that it is

in places with enough money or low enough crime rates.

[MadHound]

50. Geez, I guess they're no longer teaching the faculty, staff or police

About non-abusive restraints, things like the basket hold, etc. Instead, just cuff the kids:eyes: What is our world coming to, thirty years ago kids like this one would have been non-abusively restrained and taken to the principle's office to await their parents. Now it seems like any little thing is an excuse to call the cops and throw on the cuffs.

Real good way to build up respect for police and other authority figures:eyes:

[ohio_liberal]

51. I wrote this in my follow up post

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3552423

The school did NOT call the parents first. They called police, then the boy's father was called.

[SouthernDem2004]

53. How are handcuffs abusive restraints?

Seems they present a less chance of injury then any physical hold.

[MadHound]

54. Let's see here

Arms wrenched around behind you, cuffs ratcheted down one or two notches smaller than your wrist size, the weight of your arms forcing the metal cuffs to dig into your skin.

As opposed to a basket hold, where the arms are crossed in front of the person, held with human hands, and the person is essentially hugged from behind.

You be the judge. Having been on the receiving end of both, I personally would much prefer the basket hold.

[SouthernDem2004]

Holds can be broken and the person can still kick.

Having your arms behind you while cuffed does not hurt. Uncomfortable maybe for some but no injury.

Cuffs are not closed two sizes smaller then wrist. Yes, it happens sometimes but not on purpose in most cases.

Cuffs do not "dig" into your skin. That implies thet pierce the skin which they do not. Yes, the will leave indentions on your wrist that last a few minutes just like pillow creases when you sleep.

Cuffs are much safer for everyone involved.

[SouthernDem2004]

55. Holds can be broken and the person can still kick.

Having your arms behind you while cuffed does not hurt. Uncomfortable maybe for some but no injury.

Cuffs are not closed two sizes smaller then wrist. Yes, it happens sometimes but not on purpose in most cases.

Cuffs do not "dig" into your skin. That implies thet pierce the skin which they do not. Yes, the will leave indentions on your wrist that last a few minutes just like pillow creases when you sleep.

Cuffs are much safer for everyone involved.

[MadHound]

56. Have you ever been cuffed?

Have you ever been in a basket hold?

This is a frickin' seven year old, I doubt that the kid would be breaking out of any hold put on by an adult. I've seen small women control adult males, acting out, including trying to kick, with ease using a basket hold. I've had it demonstrated on myself. It isn't easy to get out of, and I'm 6'5", 260 pounds. Trust me, controling a seven year old would be no problem.

And I'm sorry, but cuffs are beyond "uncomfortable". They are deliberately racheted down a couple of notches to far, to prevent people from slipping out of them. It is SOP, I've a cousin who is a police officer, and that is how it is taught. I've also been cuffed, and yes, it hurts. Sorry, this isn't Law and Order friend, this is real life.

Cuffing a child goes waaay beyond reason in this case, and the fact that we have so many people here thinking it is OK is truly disturbing.

[SouthernDem2004]

57. Um...

I have been a Police Officer for numerous years. More then I like to think about... No one has ever taught to "rachet" cuffs down a couple of notches smaller then a wrist. The cuff is prevented from coming off by the hand and not the wrist. When a person is cuffed properly the cuff is loose enough that you can stick a finger between it and the wrist.

So it does not hurt when a seven year old kicks? It is harded to control people that are shorter then you. Think of were a seven year old arms are in comparison to a standing adult.

I have cuffed hundreds and hundreds of people. Most cooperative but many not. I wish your method would work but it does not in the real world. I see how this sounds terrible but it is the reality we often face. The child was cuffed for everyones safety.

[MadHound]

58. Well then you are one of the kinder police officers in the country

And I salute you for that. It has been my experience with police and cuffs that they are ratched down too tight. I've heard various explanations for that, from STFU to people being able to sweat and lubricate their wrists enough to slip out:eyes:. As I said, it is my experience.

And I'm sorry, but we will just have to agree to disagree on this one. I find it truly pathetic that the adults in this case had to call in the cops to cuff a child. This is happening with increasing frequency, and the age limit is being lowered drastically. Back when I was a child, police were never called in, never mind what the child was doing, and if the child was out of control, he was restrained properly until he calmed down. Just another example of societal breakdown IMO.

[earth mom]

52. I find this alarming and just the kind of ammunition

* and Co will use in order to go through with their plan on pyschologically evaluating all children and putting them on drugs! Now that's what I call insane! Over my dead body! :grr:

Schools are wrong in addressing this type of situation this way; there should have been some type of intervention and discussion with the parents long before it got to the point of having to call in the police-let alone the handcuffs!

I'd also venture a guess that there are more children out there with behavior issues who are actually suffering from food allergies that are causing them to act out in this manner. Red dye is a major trigger for behavior issues among the many foods out there that have been known to cause behavior problems. Sadly, far too many people and parents think this idea is too "far out there" and don't get the testing done on their kids or even just remove certain foods for a period of time to see what happens. I know it worked for my son-who has autism and adhd-and I absolutely swear by it! And framing it as a rich/poor issue isn't correct either, because about a month ago, I spent quite a bit of my time explaining what I did to help my son to an educated and well off parent who had a child with severe behavior issues. I could have sworn that he and his wife would have done anything to solve the problem. Except when I recently saw the father and asked him how it was going, I found out that they had done NOTHING in regards to food allergies! :grr: In a way, they are getting what they deserve for being so damned lazy and ignorant!