Spring 2005 Schools Involved in Pilot Program

Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center
Central Crossing High School
Upper Arlington High School

Program Overview

KFCB, with funding from the Ohio Environmental Education Fund, piloted the EnviroCourt: From Violation to Justice experience with the guidance of the OEPA, Franklin County Prosecutors Office, City of Columbus Prosecutors Office, Franklin County Environmental Court, Franklin County Sheriff's Office Environmental Crimes Division, EcoEducators, Keep Grove City Beautiful, Eric East (Fort Hayes teacher), Bill Christman (Central Crossing teacher), and Jane Hunt (Upper Arlington).

EnviroCourt: From Violation to Justice is a 9-session program that includes presentations, discussions, hands-on experiences and unique learning opportunities. Students are introduced to the program through the “How Dare You” movie that shows the severity of littering and illegal dumping and the health consequences from it. Student experiences included a visit by a Franklin County Sheriff Deputy (environmental crimes unit), a hands-on investigation of a mock hazardous waste dump scene from the OEPA's Orphan Drum Program, a field trip to the Franklin County Environmental Court and a presentation by a Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney. The program culminates with a student driven mock trial which was presided over by various notable guest judges.

Program Statistics

• During the Spring 2005 pilot session, 50 students participated in the EnviroCourt Experience
• KFCB will be taking this program to 4 schools during the fall 2005/ spring 2006, with a goal of reaching 160 students over two years

Special Thanks

KFCB would like to thank the following individuals for their expertise, time and patience as this program develops:

Judge Harland Hale, Environmental Court
Stephen McIntosh, City of Columbus Prosecuting Office
Heather Robinson, Franklin County Prosecuting Office
Jodi Billman, OEPA Orphan Drum Coordinator
Linda Rosine, Keep Grove City Beautiful
Deputy Pat Smith, Franklin County Sheriff's Office

Orphan Drum

The Ohio EPA administers the orphan drum program. Students at all three schools were visited by the Orphan Drum Coordinator to participate in a mock dumping site. Students performed all functions that investigators would normally perform at a dumpsite. Students played the roles of the suited investigators, dug through evidence-ridden trash, tested the contents of the dumped drums, and made follow up phone calls to investigate the scene. From this investigation, students were able to discern what the crime was, who will be charged and what they will be charged with. All of this information was used in their mock trial experience.

For more information on the orphan drum program, visit:

http://www.epa.state.oh.us/derr/ersis/er/drums.pdf

Environmental Court Experience

Students took a field trip downtown to visit the Environmental Court where they were able to sit in on court to watch arraignments, trials, and sentencing. After the visit in the courtroom, Franklin County Environmental Prosecutor Heather Robinson treated students to a presentation about the history of the court, courtroom procedure, tactics and creative sentencing.

Judge Hale, who in addition performs the regular duties of a municipal court judge, has exclusive jurisdiction to render decisions in cases involving neighborhood environmental issues such as housing standards, building standards, health, sanitation, fire safety, air pollution and zoning.

The Franklin County Environmental court has felony jurisdiction, unlimited monetary jurisdiction and Ohio Revised Code appeal jurisdiction on certain matters. The court also is empowered to issue temporary restraining orders and preliminary and permanent injunctions.

To learn more about Judge Hale and the environmental court, visit:
http://www.fcmcclerk.com/officials/Hale/hale.htm

Student Quotes

When asked after completing the program, “What is an environmentalist?”

-“An environmentalist is someone who tries to protect the environment and keep it clean. They appreciate the many wonders of the environment and report those who abuse it.”

-“…Is someone who protects and enforces laws made for the environment.”

-“…Is anyone who wants to preserve the beauty and cleanliness of the water, air and land on earth.”

When asked after completing the program, “Who is responsible for bringing those guilty of environmental crimes to justice?”

-“Everyone should be trying to bring environmental crimes to justice…”

-“We as citizens are responsible.”

-“The Ohio EPA, Nail-a-dumper, and the average citizen.”

Comments about the Program

-“I had a lot of fun with this program and especially enjoyed the drum investigation and the presentation by Ms. Robinson (Franklin County Environmental Prosecutor)”

-“It was a good activity. Very fun and easy to get involved.”

-“This was a very educational experience.”

-“I enjoyed it. It was a very different experience.”