FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 1/27/10) Police and school leaders have ramped up security at Memphis City Schools after a rash of guns were found in schools.
So far this year police have found ten guns on school property. That's up from six this time last year. Neither the school district nor the police department are taking the numbers lightly because most of these guns were loaded.
Last Friday, police arrested a 16 year-old for bringing a loaded 25-caliber handgun to Hamilton High School. Then, Tuesday afternoon, police arrested two students for having a gun at East High School.
"This absolutely will not be tolerated," says MCS Superintendent Kriner Cash who looked at the sharp increase of guns on campus and called Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin Wednesday morning.
"We are going to increase patrols and we are going to add officers," says Godwin. "We are going to do it in a covert way, we are going to do it in an overt way, but we are going to address this problem."
Officials can't pin down exactly how the students are getting the guns through their security and onto school property. High schools and middle schools use metal detectors each morning and perform checks throughout the day. The immediate solution includes more random checks and keeping a closer an eye on every door.
"Some of our buildings have as many as 70 exits and entrances," says Cash. "Students can be creative if they really want to get weapons in our schools."
Officials say gangs are a major factor and in the end the students are the first defense to keep guns off campus. Under the "Trust Pays" program an anonymous call tips-off authorities and could earn students up to $250 dollars.
- 10 guns found at Memphis City Schools so far this year
- 6 found last year
- Police, MCS security increasing patrols and checks on students
(Memphis 1/27/10) Police and school leaders have ramped up security at Memphis City Schools after a rash of guns were found in schools.
So far this year police have found ten guns on school property. That's up from six this time last year. Neither the school district nor the police department are taking the numbers lightly because most of these guns were loaded.
Last Friday, police arrested a 16 year-old for bringing a loaded 25-caliber handgun to Hamilton High School. Then, Tuesday afternoon, police arrested two students for having a gun at East High School.
"This absolutely will not be tolerated," says MCS Superintendent Kriner Cash who looked at the sharp increase of guns on campus and called Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin Wednesday morning.
"We are going to increase patrols and we are going to add officers," says Godwin. "We are going to do it in a covert way, we are going to do it in an overt way, but we are going to address this problem."
Officials can't pin down exactly how the students are getting the guns through their security and onto school property. High schools and middle schools use metal detectors each morning and perform checks throughout the day. The immediate solution includes more random checks and keeping a closer an eye on every door.
"Some of our buildings have as many as 70 exits and entrances," says Cash. "Students can be creative if they really want to get weapons in our schools."
Officials say gangs are a major factor and in the end the students are the first defense to keep guns off campus. Under the "Trust Pays" program an anonymous call tips-off authorities and could earn students up to $250 dollars.
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
StumbleUpon
