VIOLENCE: PANELISTS TO DISCUSS INCREASED RAGE IN YOUTH

It could happen here.

That's the message participants in a panel discussion on youth violence hope to get across to the Cape Girardeau community.

The panel meets Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Harrison Room at Southeast Missouri Hospital. It is the second half of a two-part series on youth violence sponsored by Generations Family Center.

The Generations Family Center has held other seminars based on topics of interest in the community, said Stacia Ledbetter of the Generations Center. "We're doing this one based on recent school shootings that happened last year."

Panelists include Jim Watkins, retired principal of Franklin Elementary School; Dr. Ken Callis, a licensed psychologist; Ike Hammonds and Charlie Herbst of the Cape Girardeau Police Department; and Jim Davis, Division of Youth Services administrator.

Watkins hopes to see a heavy turnout for the program. Although more emphasis is being placed on youth violence today, it is the progression of violence from urban to rural areas that is making people realize Cape Girardeau is not exempt from school shootings similar to those at West Paducah, Ky., and Jonesboro, Ark., last year.

"I read recently there were more school deaths in 1995 than in 1997-98, but it happened in the cities so it didn't make news," he said. "It's moving to the small towns now, so it's more newsworthy."

Watkins thinks a major reason for increased violence is that society has lowered its acceptable standard of behavior.

Attitudes of students, parents, teachers and school administrators have changed a lot over the past 30 years, he said, and common courtesy and other niceties have become less visible in classrooms.

"It used to be one or two students stood out and the other students were not tolerant of their language or misbehavior," he said. "The change that I have seen over the years that I have been in school business is the loss of respect for each other."

Cpl. Barry Hovis, a Cape Girardeau school resource officer, said he and several school administrators have met with other district leaders to discuss school security and youth violence.

Hovis and Central High School assistant principal Mark Ruark will recommend to the Cape Girardeau Board of Education that several changes in security be made within the district. They will give the presentation during an Aug. 17 meeting.

"We're way ahead of the curve right now, and I feel very good about that," said Hovis. The presentation will "show them what we've done and leave it kind of in their hands."

Watkins said the bottom line on youth violence is that it is not an isolated problem. People should realize that Cape Girardeau is just as likely a place for a violent event as any other, and they should take preventative measures.

"We want to shove it under the rug and say it won't happen here," he said. "I'm not saying it will, I'm saying it could."

Registration is required for the panel discussions. For more information, call the Generations office at 651-5825.