I-TEAM: A closer look at weapons found during new school year
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A fatal school shooting in Barrow County is something that hits close to home for every parent no matter where an incident like this occurs.
Possibly because we are not strangers to weapons being found on our local school campuses.
Just since the school year started, there have been guns found at Richmond Hill middle schooler at a bus stop after class.
There have also been two knives found at Murphy Middle and Richmond Hill Middle School.
And last school year, the I-TEAM uncovered that a gun was found on a Richmond County school campus nearly every month.
The CSRA is certainly a part of a growing trend in schools.
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We know Richmond County schools have taken steps to ensure there’s increased security across the district.
Mantrell Wilson, the chief of police with the school system, says they have 40 school resource officers who are making sure schools are secure throughout the day — that includes all middle and high schools.
The district is starting to push technology as a way to keep students safe.
We know Richmond County does not have metal detectors or any kind of AI weapons detectors.
We found those options may not always be the best deterrent or solution because of errors the systems may have.
But they do have a new button on a badge that can alert law enforcement of any issues on campus.
We’ve seen this in more and more school districts in our area.
They’re also piloting four new portable weapon detectors at football games.
2 students injured during altercation on Harlem High School bus
Two students were minorly injured during an altercation between several students on the school bus on the way to Harlem High School on Wednesday morning, according to the principal.
Officials say they’re doing what they can to stay on top of everything happening throughout the district.
“We have weekly meetings with the deputy superintendent and the from the building so that we can make sure that we get together for any intel that may have been received that week,” said Wilson.
Wilson also wants parents to know if there’s a threat you will hear about it through something called a shout point. That’s the call or text they send out if something happens. So, make sure your information is up to date.
He also adds if you have an issue, his office through the portal and file a report.
Also, our local sheriff’s offices do active shooter training annually.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says they just did their training in May.
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