Highlights of school safety, security, and crisis incidents and issues around the nation for the week of January 25-29, 2010:
Memphis, TN: Guns at Memphis city schools ring alarm bells Police are stepping up patrols and school officials are increasing security after five guns incidents occurred in or near city schools in nine days.
Central, SC: No fans allowed at South Carolina prep games over safety concerns School officials closed a rival high school basketball doubleheader in northwestern South Carolina because of safety concerns due to trends of disturbances and violence after games.
Chicago, IL: 15-year-old student shot in back outside of high school. A 15-year-old student was shot in the back two blocks away but managed to get to a high school parking lot where he was found and treated.
Detroit, MI: Metro Detroit schools step up security. More than 10 years after the Columbine High School shootings districts across Metro Detroit continue to step up security on their campuses.
Philadelphia, PA: Girls’ “Facebook” brawl ends in gunfire, three wounded. A fight between two gangs of girls that had been organized on Facebook erupted in gunfire outside a Philadelphia high school, leaving two young men and a 17-year-old girl wounded.
Millcreek, UT: Police say teacher was killed by former mother-in-law. A 34-year-old assistant preschool teacher was shot and killed in the parking lot of her school allegedly by her 70-year-old former mother-in-law.
Indianapolis, IN: Student stabbed during fight at Lawrence bus stop. A student was stabbed and two other people were injured during a fight at a school bus stop.
Hollister, CA: Police: Two students planned attack on San Benito High School. Two male San Benito High School students were arrested for planning an attack on the school after police found one of the students in possession of weapons, explosives, plans to make a bomb, and a plan of attack.
Hernando County, FL: District might have to resubmit violence numbers. State and local officials worry that school administrators aren’t properly recording school violence in Hernando County after some statistics were inflated or placed in the wrong category.
Albany, NY: State police: School troopers may be reassigned. A state police spokesman says 90 troopers working as school resource officers around the state would be assigned to other duties under Gov. David Paterson’s proposed budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
Merrillville, IN: Expert: Having a school safety plan isn’t enough. Leadership’s role in school security is key, area superintendents, educators, and safety officials were told.
Ken Trump