Safe neighborhoods mean safe schools.
Our students, teachers and school personnel need to know that their schools are safe havens, secure from crime and mayhem. For legislators to threaten a program that works because of pressures from special interest groups is outrageous. The misconception that only large urban areas need this law ignores the recent facts of gun-toting hooligans shattering school life in small towns and wealthy suburbs. They applaud Governor Ryan's courage and persistence and urge immediate action when the special session is called on Wednesday, December 29, 1999. The IFT represents employee units in state government under each of the constitutional officers.