Detective schools Penn Hills students about staying out of trouble

Penn Hills middle school students had a recent opportunity to sit down with a police detective for a raw conversation about preventing violence and staying out of trouble.

About 100 fifth- through eighth-graders enrolled in the after school Magic in the Middle program at Linton Middle School met with Jonathan Milos, juvenile detective with the Penn Hills Police Department, on Oct. 20 to discuss resolving confrontations before they turn violent, trusting police, cyber-bullying, the dangers of sharing photos and other communications online and other topics.

Milos began the meeting by asking the group if they knew someone who had been shot.

More than half of the students in the audience raised their hands.

“Growing up, I didn't have that,” Milos said. “You knew of somebody that knew of somebody, but not like this.”

The detective noted the changing nature of problems that youths today face. Milos, 41, who is of Mexican heritage, told them he had been bullied when he was their age, because of his race. But in an age of social media, bullying doesn't necessarily mean face-to-face or physical confrontation, he said.

“You have your phones 24/7… back in the day, (bullying) was only during school. When we went home, we didn't see anybody, but now (bullies) can get to you 24/7,” he said.

He continued that some children are bullied by groups of others who “go along with the group.”

“It's tough, when you see that, to be the person in the group to say, ‘Wait a minute, this is wrong,'” Milos said.

Whether it's bullying or another conflict, Milos encouraged students to think before they resort to violence and to always attempt to solve issues by peaceful means.

“Why not talk it out?” he said. “We need to come together so I can see your side and you can see mine.”

Police, internet issues broached

About one-third of the students raised their hands when asked if they trusted police officers. All but a few raised their hands when they were asked if they get nervous when they see police.

Milos told them that just like in every other profession, there are officers who are not good at their jobs and can foster bad relations within communities.

“Don't let that small number who are not good affect how you treat everyone else,” he said.

The detective's talk also ventured into issues related to the internet — primarily targeting communications and photo sharing with others.

“Be sure of who you are talking to (online),” he warned, while also cautioning that some adults disguise themselves as children to gain better access to kids.

The students are taking part in a program in which they pledge to promote peace and gain an understanding about conflict resolution and anger management.

The drive is part of the national Week of Nonviolence, Justice and Opportunities spearheaded by the Positive Change Foundation and Black Women for Positive Change.

The pledge shows how conflict resolution relates to the real world, and how the students can settle things in a peaceful manner, Schools Superintendent Nancy Hines said.

High school students were slated to take a similar pledge, including creating a collage about violence and having a pep rally on Wednesday.

Samson X Horne is a staff writer for the Tribune-Review. Reach him at 412-320-7845 or shorne@tribweb.com.