Shawano Police Chief Mark Kohl ” I believe that the ordinance has helped decrease bullying in Shawano Schools”
Earlier this year the Shawano Common Council approved an anti-bullying ordinance that garnered much national and even international attention.
In the ordinance, a parent would be warned if police determine their child was involved in bullying. The parent would then have 90 days to address the behavior, and if that child is still bullying, the parent could be issued a fine up to $366.
Shawano Police Chief Mark Kohl provided an update since the ordinance went into effect, and he explained it’s more about helping parents stay involved in their child’s behavior.
“What this ordinance really was, quite simply, is to give an invitation to the parents to communicate with us and to get involved with their child’s behavior that is reported not only to the police department, but the school system itself,” said Kohl.
Chief Kohl was happy to inform the Shawano Common Council at it’s most recent meeting on Tuesday that since enforcing the ordinance, his department did not report any fines.
“The sign of a good community philosophy, a good community oriented program, isn’t to show an increase in arrests and tickets, it’s to show a decrease in those reported crimes and violations,” Kohl explained. “I believe we’re seeing more of a partnership with community members, and as a result, we haven’t issued any tickets, so I think it’s very successful.”
Kohl says the department has worked with parents on a few instances, but overall he believes the ordinance has helped decrease the bullying behavior previously seen in schools.