News (Media Awareness Project) - US OH: Drug Sweep at John Marshall High School Is First of Many for Cleveland Sc |
| Title: | US OH: Drug Sweep at John Marshall High School Is First of Many for Cleveland Sc |
| Published On: | 2008-03-25 |
| Source: | Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-03-28 21:59:11 |
DRUG SWEEP AT JOHN MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL IS FIRST OF MANY FOR CLEVELAND SCHOOLS
Nothing Found at John Marshall, but 'Strong Message' Delivered
Police and security officers have begun making random sweeps of
Cleveland schools in search of drugs.
The first sweep came Thursday at John Marshall High School. School
security officers, city police and two drug-sniffing dogs went
through lockers for two hours while students were kept in their classrooms.
No drugs were found, but schools security chief Lester Fultz said he
is more interested in making a point than making arrests.
"The goal is to send a very strong message in terms of what is not
allowed in the buildings," he said. "We were not disappointed that we
didn't find anything."
Sharon DeCarlo, who has two daughters at John Marshall, applauded the
intent but criticized the execution.
She said school officials did not make clear to students what was
going on, spawning rumors of an intruder and prompting worried
teenagers to make cell-phone calls to their parents. The uproar came
just five months after an armed student at Cleveland's SuccessTech
Academy wounded two teachers and two other students, then killed himself.
"They induced panic," DeCarlo said. "I just think the whole thing was
done poorly. I would imagine a lot of parents would agree with me."
Fultz said officials announced a lockdown drill, then about 15
minutes later sent word over the public-address system that a drug
sweep was under way. He said the district will declare its intent up
front next time.
"I really want them to know the full purpose of why we're there," he
said. "There's no reason to camouflage it as a drill."
Fultz said sweeps will spill over into next school year and continue
"until we are convinced there are no drugs in our schools." He said
searches will be not be limited to high schools.
The district has stepped up security since the SuccessTech shootings
by installing metal detectors and adding security guards. The schools
also are awaiting recommendations from security consultants.
Nothing Found at John Marshall, but 'Strong Message' Delivered
Police and security officers have begun making random sweeps of
Cleveland schools in search of drugs.
The first sweep came Thursday at John Marshall High School. School
security officers, city police and two drug-sniffing dogs went
through lockers for two hours while students were kept in their classrooms.
No drugs were found, but schools security chief Lester Fultz said he
is more interested in making a point than making arrests.
"The goal is to send a very strong message in terms of what is not
allowed in the buildings," he said. "We were not disappointed that we
didn't find anything."
Sharon DeCarlo, who has two daughters at John Marshall, applauded the
intent but criticized the execution.
She said school officials did not make clear to students what was
going on, spawning rumors of an intruder and prompting worried
teenagers to make cell-phone calls to their parents. The uproar came
just five months after an armed student at Cleveland's SuccessTech
Academy wounded two teachers and two other students, then killed himself.
"They induced panic," DeCarlo said. "I just think the whole thing was
done poorly. I would imagine a lot of parents would agree with me."
Fultz said officials announced a lockdown drill, then about 15
minutes later sent word over the public-address system that a drug
sweep was under way. He said the district will declare its intent up
front next time.
"I really want them to know the full purpose of why we're there," he
said. "There's no reason to camouflage it as a drill."
Fultz said sweeps will spill over into next school year and continue
"until we are convinced there are no drugs in our schools." He said
searches will be not be limited to high schools.
The district has stepped up security since the SuccessTech shootings
by installing metal detectors and adding security guards. The schools
also are awaiting recommendations from security consultants.
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
