FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 3/16/2010) Truancy could be the link to student crime at Memphis City Schools.
Within a week, several instances of violence involving Memphis City School students on and off campus have shocked parents.
One week ago, three East High School students were charged in the rape of a fellow student off-campus. They returned to school that same day.
Last Thursday, a gang fight erupted near Craigmont High School involving as many as 30 teens, three of whom were taken to the hospital.
Sunday, a senior from Raleigh-Egypt High School allegedly tried to run over one of his classmates.
All are stories that some say have become all too common, but school leaders say they're working closely with the Memphis Police Department to try to curb these issues. Officials say it's going to take more than police and security to solve the problem.
Despite recent events, the school district says crime is trending down.
Since News Channel 3 exposed MCS was under-reporting crimes, school officials say they're reporting crimes better.
"This is an extremely safe district. When you look at two or three years ago when you had two or three contact shootings in schools and you had a high incident of aggravated assaults, those incidents are down," says MCS Security Chief Gerald Darling.
At East High School, a teen said she was gang raped by students who left school then went back to class. This poses the question for MCS: How did the students leave campus to commit the crime?
The problem is rooted in truancy.
A few years ago, News Channel 3 exposed a growing problem with MCS truancy. School officials now say stopping roaming students could be a solution to crime, on and off campus, but officials say the district needs help from MPD and parents.
"We do need the help of not only the collaboration with the Memphis Police Department but the entire Memphis community before, during, and after school to ensure safe passageways for young children and students on their way to and from school," says Dr. Alfred Hall, MCS Chief Of Staff who says leaders are also looking "at issues like vacant housing or dwellings that may exist in those corridors and to again make sure everyone is on alert and aware of the time frames of when students should be in school."
To report truant students, call the Truancy Hotline at (901) 416-8111.
- MCS says truant students sometimes involved in crime
- MCS working with MPD to curb violence
- MCS considering school police force
(Memphis 3/16/2010) Truancy could be the link to student crime at Memphis City Schools.
Within a week, several instances of violence involving Memphis City School students on and off campus have shocked parents.
One week ago, three East High School students were charged in the rape of a fellow student off-campus. They returned to school that same day.
Last Thursday, a gang fight erupted near Craigmont High School involving as many as 30 teens, three of whom were taken to the hospital.
Sunday, a senior from Raleigh-Egypt High School allegedly tried to run over one of his classmates.
All are stories that some say have become all too common, but school leaders say they're working closely with the Memphis Police Department to try to curb these issues. Officials say it's going to take more than police and security to solve the problem.
Despite recent events, the school district says crime is trending down.
Since News Channel 3 exposed MCS was under-reporting crimes, school officials say they're reporting crimes better.
"This is an extremely safe district. When you look at two or three years ago when you had two or three contact shootings in schools and you had a high incident of aggravated assaults, those incidents are down," says MCS Security Chief Gerald Darling.
At East High School, a teen said she was gang raped by students who left school then went back to class. This poses the question for MCS: How did the students leave campus to commit the crime?
The problem is rooted in truancy.
A few years ago, News Channel 3 exposed a growing problem with MCS truancy. School officials now say stopping roaming students could be a solution to crime, on and off campus, but officials say the district needs help from MPD and parents.
"We do need the help of not only the collaboration with the Memphis Police Department but the entire Memphis community before, during, and after school to ensure safe passageways for young children and students on their way to and from school," says Dr. Alfred Hall, MCS Chief Of Staff who says leaders are also looking "at issues like vacant housing or dwellings that may exist in those corridors and to again make sure everyone is on alert and aware of the time frames of when students should be in school."
To report truant students, call the Truancy Hotline at (901) 416-8111.
