Better Use of School Safety Resources Urged : Education: Partnerships with police, student services and anti-violence training for staff should be expanded to keep campuses secure, report says.

Although Los Angeles schools have police protection, conflict-resolution programs and active parent groups, campuses need to make better use of these resources if they are to remain safe, according to results of a study released Wednesday.

Compiled by Kids Safe, a nationwide nonprofit child-advocacy group, the report urges city school districts to expand partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, continue training staff in violence prevention and increase counseling and social services to students.

“At first we were prepared to propose legislation,” said Jayne Murphy Shapiro, president of Kids Safe, based in Granada Hills. “But then we learned that we should make better use of our existing resources.”

After the Colorado school massacre in April, the nonpartisan group appointed a five-member task force in Los Angeles to hold hearings and consult about 200 administrators, teachers, parents, students, psychologists, police officers and community activists about school safety.

“We have to do a better job at working together,” said Shapiro, who plans to announce her candidacy in a few weeks for state Assembly.

In a first round of mailings, about 10,000 copies of the report were sent Wednesday to the governor, Legislature and Los Angeles Board of Education, among others. Eventually, Shapiro said, every school in the state will receive the report.

School officials and political leaders said they had not yet seen the report but would review it. “The governor takes this issue very seriously,” said Hilary McLean, a spokeswoman for Gov. Gray Davis.

After the Columbine High School shooting, Davis allocated $42.5 million for counselors, another $42.5 million for grants to purchase metal detectors, fences and other security items, and $15 million for county offices of education to review school safety plans.

“We certainly agree with the goal of making schools safer,” McLean said.

One way to make schools safer is to eliminate dark, secluded and unsupervised areas on campuses, the report stated. Several teachers said they feel unsafe in classroom bungalows and far from the main office.

“They have no protection if something should happen,” said Shapiro, adding that schools can help defuse potential dangers by increasing supervision.

In addition to increasing security personnel, the report recommended that schools develop new policies and programs such as requiring school uniforms, clear backpacks, and bicycle patrol officers.