July 02, 2016
Unable to appease angry parents upset by the unexplained directive to routinely summon police to Collingswood schools for minor behavior issues – such as the now infamous “Browniegate” incident at William P. Tatem Elementary School, where a comment about a snack food led to a police investigation – a closed-door meeting is finally set for next week.
Invited are Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo, whose office put the policy in place, Collingswood Mayor James Maley, Police Chief Kevin Carey, School Superintendent Scott Oswald, and School Board President David Routzahn, Philly.com reports.
Not invited are parents, the public or the media.
Colalillo’s spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday.
Related story: After 'brownie' stew, mayor dials back police investigations of schoolchildren
Closed-mouth responses from the prosecutor’s office – they previously issued a brief statement, but have not addressed media questions or answered public outcry over why the policy was put in place or why Collingswood was was singled out among the county's towns – have exacerbated the issue for Collingwood parents, who have flooded social media.
The private meeting follows a month of anger and confusion that has led school officials to report nearly every incident of misconduct to local police.
As a result, students as young as 7 have been questioned by police for incidents such as roughhousing and allegedly making racist comments about brownies.
To read the entire Philly.com story, click here.
