RBR, Shore Report Low Number of Violent Incidents

By Christopher Sheldon

The Red Bank Regional (RBR) and Shore Regional School Districts showed low numbers of violent incidents during the 2012-13 school year.

The New Jersey Department of Education on Thursday released its annual Violence, Vandalism and Substance Abuse in the Schools Report for 2012-2013 on Thursday

The report documents self-reported incidents of violence in each district.

Out of 1,181 students enrolled at RBR last school year, there were 12 violent incidents, one report of vandalism, two weapons incidents, 16 incidents involving substances and 13 Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying (HIB) incidents for a total of 42 incidents.

Out of 646 enrolled at Shore Regional last school year, there were 5 violent incidents, seven incidents involving substances and one HIB incident for a total of 13.

• Violent incidents are categorized as assaults, fights, robbery/extortion, criminal threat and sex offenses

• Vandalism incidents are categorized as bomb threat, burglary, damage to property, theft and fire alarm offenses

• Substance incidents are categorized as use, distribution, possession, 

 Overall, the total number of incidents (violence, bullying, etc.) in New Jersey schools plummeted by 19 percent from the previous year, led by a 36 percent drop in the number of bullying incidents reported.

Overall violence in New Jersey schools was down 4 percent year-over-year.