Education Secretary Stresses Early Intervention To Curb Gun Violence

In a Wednesday evening town hall that drew education advocates from across the state, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan stressed the importance of early intervention when addressing gun violence in schools.

"We literally, literally bury a child every two weeks because of gun violence," Duncan said to a crowd of approximately 400 people gathered at Loch Raven High School. "...If we as a country don't do something different now, I don't know when we will."

The secretary said the gun violence issue is increasingly getting worse over the years, and early identification of at risk students is critical.

"It's important to listen to young people," he said. "They know who's being bullied. They know who the bullies are."

Duncan, as part of a panel that included Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson, National PTA President Betsy Landers, Maryland PTA President Rita Lowman, school safety specialist Bill Bond and school psychologist Kelly Vaillancourt, also fielded questions from the audience.

A Baltimore City Public Schools PTA member asked Duncan how to address the issue of educators being hesitant to report crimes for fear of being labeled a troubled school.

Duncan urged parents to continue reporting issues up the chain until they are addressed.

"I just think we have to be transparent...It's too serious and the consequences are too dire," he said. "Don't stop speaking out, keep raising your voice."

Johnson, who said he has recently been meeting with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden to discuss gun violence, told the audience that being a responisble gun owner is also critical.

"Don't give your child guns to try to bond with him if he has mental or emotional health issues," he said.

Following the town hall, Duncan said it is important to keep the conversation about gun violence ongoing.

"I love what this community has done," he said. "We want to be a good partner but this unfortunately like far too many communities across the country, this community has been significantly impacted by gun violence."

Baltimore County Superintendent Dallas Dance echoed Duncan's sentiments.

"If we don't address that topic first, teaching and learning isn't going to happen."