National Center for Victims of Crime

Several recent school shootings, gang activity, and juvenile drug use have raised public awareness about the safety of schools and their surroundings. Many school districts have implemented such safety strategies as metal detectors and armed security officers in an effort to protect students and faculty from firearms and other weapons. In the following viewpoint, the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) describes some of the dangers and concludes that juvenile crime and violence are a major problem within the public school system. The NCVC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping victims of crime rebuild their lives.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. To what does the NCVC and other researchers attribute the high percentage of juvenile homicide victims in 1991?
2. How does the NCVC define a &ldquo...