Imagine what it would be like to live in a city that houses constant cases of violence, and the nudging feeling of insecurity rising. Could this describe the city of Marion? One may say yes, due to a few violent events that have occurred in the last couple of months. These cases have hit close to home, taking a greater toll on the community. Some of these instances involved individuals from different age ranges, from teens to adults. However, on the other hand, one may argue that violence really hasn’t increased in the town. As they were just a couple of personal experiences, it made it seem like a different story. The city of Marion is generally considered a safe place in the state of Iowa, and many dedicated citizens want the best for everyone within the area.
Brian Davis is the Marion Independent School District’s resource officer as well as a patrol officer. He has been with the department for about 20 years, since 2006. Every day, he prioritizes the safety and security of students and everyone else in Marion. With his job, Davis doesn’t see that the rate of violence in the area has increased, and he said it may fluctuate normally. Davis said, “If you looked at statistics from each year, I think you’d be surprised to see that they’re probably very similar,” and “our community as a whole is very safe. This is a town you want to raise your kids in and have them go to school here.”
Although Davis can see behind the other perspective, he explains that there are many reasons why violence may occur anywhere. Especially among teens, similar leading causes include cellphones, social media, the internet, and video games. Davis said, “Young kids are walking around with a computer in their hands, and they have the entire world at their fingertips, unrestricted.” Anyone can see just about anything online, and it absorbs the mind, making it a possible hivemind for violence. Davis believes officers being inside schools can help mediate and possibly prevent violent actions among students. He said, “You have a police officer at your disposal that you can communicate with and ask questions while feeling comfortable, being most important of all.”
Officer Davis is free for any of those who may have questions or concerns. He advises that if one wants to become a law enforcement officer, one should graduate, have good moral judgment, and have integrity. If one wants to go to college, go for business management or criminal justice (depending on one’s interests), and especially be prepared for anything. Davis said, “It’s important to understand you’re gonna lose some friends or some people you might consider friends. Be prepared for an abnormal work schedule, and be prepared for the adrenaline.” Overall, violence in Marion itself has not increased. As Davis said, it is normal for this behavior to fluctuate a bit, but it doesn’t make the community more dangerous, despite the recent close-to-home events.
