Buffalo Peacemakers on school violence: 'More security is not the answer'

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - "It's not how much security you have," said Pastor James Giles of Buffalo Peacemakers on WBEN on Thursday when asked about the stabbing of a 15-year-old student this week inside McKinley High School.

Giles said it's more about relationships in school.

"We wanted to have Peacemakers inside the schools, but the district didn't do it this year. Peacemakers develop relationships with students. We can intervene with things that are about to happen. Kids don't like to talk to security or administrators. But they talk to us," he said.

After the McKinley incident, many people were left wondering why Buffalo Schools allowed two students, who were involved in another violent incident in July, were allowed to be in the same school two months later.

Giles blamed it on a communication breakdown.

"I spoke with the principal. He had no idea that the same individuals who were involved in a stabbing at Fountain Plaza in the summer, were in his school. We have to develop measures to strengthen communications." Giles
added that Peacemakers didn't know both kids were at McKinley.

Giles said, in general, there is shared communication between law enforcement, schools and Peacemakers but law enforcement's hands are tied from sharing some information.

He estimates that there are about 80 children, at any given time, who are capable of creating situations that result in violence throughout the district. "They're shrewd and cunning. They know how to circumvent security measures," noted Giles.