Policy 9290 – Criminal Organizations, Criminal Organization Activity, and Similar Destructive or Illegal Group Behavior

Preventing and eliminating criminal organization activity and similar destructive or illegal group behavior on school property and at school-sponsored functions.

Prohibiting reprisal or retaliation against individuals who report criminal organization activity and similar destructive or illegal group behavior or who are targets, witnesses, bystanders, or have reliable information about an act of criminal organization activity and similar destructive or illegal group behavior.

Supporting and intervening for students, families, and HCPSS employees who are targets, witnesses, and/or alleged offenders of activities prohibited by this policy.

Criminal organization activity is prohibited on all HCPSS school property and at all school-related activities.

It is a violation of this policy for any student, HCPSS employee, or third party to engage in criminal organization activity or similar destructive or illegal group behavior on school property or at school-related activities.

It is a violation of this policy for any criminal organization or criminal organization member to threaten, defame, harass, intimidate, bully, cyberbully, or physically attack another individual when these actions occur on school property or in connection with any school-related activity. These behaviors also constitute a violation of this policy when they have a direct effect on the order and general welfare of the school (such as negatively affecting the safety or learning environment of a classroom), even if they do not occur on school property or at a school-related activity.

It is a violation of this policy for any individual or suspected criminal organization member to threaten or carry out reprisal or retaliation against individuals:

Violations of this policy are cumulative; subsequent offenses may affect the nature and severity of the consequences.

A written notice will be posted at each school stating that criminal organization activity and similar destructive or illegal group behavior is prohibited on school property or at school-related activities.

A written notice will be posted at each school stating that reprisal or retaliation against individuals who report criminal organization activity and similar destructive or illegal group behavior or those who are targets, witnesses, bystanders, or others with reliable information about criminal organization activity and similar destructive or illegal group behavior are prohibited.

All suspected violations of this policy will be reported to school-based administrators, supervisors, or designees. School-based administrators, supervisors, and designees will collaborate with HCPSS employees, students, and their families to address the report to determine if the report can be confirmed.

School-based administrators or supervisors may recommend appropriate support for individuals who have been targeted.

A HCPSS student or employee engaging in behaviors which violate this policy is subject to disciplinary and/or legal action. Interventions will be recommended, as appropriate, for HCPSS students and employees who violate this policy.

Whenever a report of on-going or threatened criminal organization-related violence appears accurate and reliable, the principal, supervisor, or designee will contact the appropriate law enforcement officer and will keep school administration informed.

The Superintendent/designee will meet at least once a year with all school-based administrators to provide training on awareness, prevention, and intervention.

For any HCPSS student or employee who engages in criminal organization activity or similar destructive or illegal group behavior that does not occur on school property, the administrator, supervisor, or designee will adhere to the guidelines set forth by Policy 7030 Employee Conduct and Discipline and Policy 9280 School Use of Community or Reportable Offenses.

The Superintendent/designee will ensure that students, parents, and HCPSS employees are notified of the provisions of this policy annually.

The principal or supervisor will report confirmed incidents of criminal organization activity to the Office of Safety and Security who will then notify law enforcement.

The Superintendent/designee will report incidents of criminal organization activity to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) as stipulated in Education Article §7-424.2 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

The school-based administrator or supervisor will take action in response to a violation of this policy and ensure that the action taken is in accordance with Policy 7030 Employee Conduct and Discipline, Policy 7140 Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, and Intimidation Involving HCPSS Employees, Policy 9200 Student Discipline, Policy 9460 Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, and Intimidation Involving Students, the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct, and the Procedures for the Threat Management Process.

School-based administrators or supervisors will ensure appropriate assistance is offered to students, families, or HCPSS employees who have been the target of or affected by behavior prohibited in this policy.

The Superintendent/designee will ensure administrators and supervisors receive training on awareness and reporting suspected criminal organization incidents in compliance with Education Article §7-424.2 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

The Division of Schools will coordinate training with school-based administration.

If specific school awareness, prevention, or intervention training is determined to be needed based on community or school incidents, the Superintendent/designee will coordinate training with school-based administration.

Criminal Organization – A group of three or more individuals who engage in a pattern of destructive or illegal activity for the benefit of the group’s members and/or for furthering the reputation of the group or individual. A criminal organization shares a common identity, and members view themselves as a cohesive group.

Criminal Organization Activity – Committing, attempting to commit, or soliciting of a crime; or acts by a juvenile that would be a crime if committed by an adult.

HCPSS Employee – Any individual who is a permanent or temporary employee of the HCPSS whose compensation is paid in whole or part by the Board, including but not limited to, school-based administrators, teachers, substitute teachers, paraeducators, and other school-based and Central Office support staff.

Illegal – Failure to do what is required by law.

Parent – Any one of the following, recognized as the adult(s) legally responsible for the student:

School Property – Any property owned or leased by HCPSS for school-related activities. The concept of property extends to school activities such as field trips, use of parks and recreation facilities, proms at hotels, etc. School buses, school bus stops, and facilities scheduled by the school system for student use are considered an extension of school property.

School-Related Activity – Any school system activity, whether held on or off school property, in which a student directly participates (e.g., school field trip, athletic event, or class/graduation activity), or an activity in which the student does not directly participate but represents the school or student body simply by being there (e.g., spectator at a school event).

School Security Officer – The individual responsible for oversight of the security at a specific school or school-related activity. The security officer may be the principal, another school administrator, a local law enforcement officer, or another designated individual.

School Security Partnership – A group of school-based administrators, school resource officers, school security officers, and Central Office leaders, as well as other members of the police department who meet quarterly to review topics and information surrounding the safety of HCPSS students, schools, and communities.

Threat – Expression, conveyed by word or action, of intent to do harm to another.