LA UNIFIED POLICE WILL CARRY SHOTGUNS

The Los Angeles Unified School District will arm its police with shotguns
under a controversial plan approved by the Board of Education.

The board voted 5-2 to buy the shotguns after police said they are in
increasing danger because their patrols often take them into gang- and
crime-ridden neighborhoods around campuses.

The district will buy 75 of the 12-gauge Remington shotguns, which will be
installed in about 60 days. The shotguns will be locked in patrol cars
while officers, who will continue to carry pistols, make their foot
patrols. Officers assigned to handle the weapons will receive 16 hours of
training.