Harlem High School Safety Alert: 16-Year-Old Busted with Loaded Gun!
A 16-year-old student was arrested Friday morning after a loaded gun was discovered in his backpack at Mott Hall High School in Harlem. The incident adds to the rising concern about gun safety in New York City schools, as it follows several similar occurrences over the past week.
According to police, the student had a loaded .38 caliber gun in his possession when he was found around 10:30 a.m. at the school located at 6 Edgecombe Ave. Authorities immediately took him into custody, and he has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon, including criminal possession of a weapon in a school zone. The student appeared in court later that same day to face these charges.
This event is part of a troubling pattern in NYC schools, where multiple incidents involving students bringing guns to school have been reported in the past few days. Just the day before, two students, aged 15 and 17, were found with guns at Flushing High School in Queens, and on Wednesday, a 17-year-old student was arrested for having a loaded gun at Curtis High School on Staten Island.
Additionally, on Thursday, a 17-year-old was shot near Ralph R. McKee Career and Technical Education High School, located just a short distance from Curtis High School.
In light of these incidents, the NYPD has committed to increasing security measures in and around schools. Sources told 1010 WINS that additional security personnel would be deployed at Mott Hall High School to ensure student safety, along with access to mental health resources for all students on-site.
“The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and all students and staff are safe,” said NYC Schools Deputy Press Secretary Jenna Lyle in a statement. She praised a brave student for raising the alarm, allowing the NYPD to recover the weapon without any harm being done. Lyle emphasized that safety protocols were followed and that the school is working closely with the NYPD for further actions.
The recent spike in gun-related incidents has raised questions about the effectiveness of current safety measures in NYC schools. When contacted about the issue, an NYPD spokesperson mentioned that older metal scanners in schools have been replaced with new CEIA Opengate scanners.
The city currently operates 83 full-time scanning schools, which are a mix of middle and high schools. These scanners are strategically placed at student entry points, and the police are continually evaluating their deployment across other schools.
“Each day, NYPD School Safety Agents work diligently to enhance the quality of New York City public education by maintaining a safe and secure environment in the city’s public schools,” the police spokesperson added.
However, some believe that simply having scanners is not enough to prevent incidents like these. Harold Gallego, the PTA President at Flushing High School and a former NYPD School Safety Agent, emphasized the need for more manpower in schools. He pointed out that at Flushing High School, which has 1,700 students and 18 exits, there are only four safety officers.
He says the standard for a school of that size is seven officers. He also mentioned that last year, the school had to use its budget to hire private security due to the insufficient safety personnel provided by the city.
If the city can’t provide more officers, they should at least provide funding for schools to hire extra help,” Gallego said. Following the gun-related incident at Flushing High School on Thursday, metal detectors were installed at school entrances as a precaution.
Gallego believes that a more proactive approach is needed. “After something happens, then they react. We’re not proactive in this city,” he said, criticizing the delayed responses to threats. His comments highlight a concern shared by many that security measures often come too late.
While some parents and officials call for increased security and metal detectors, opinions among students are divided. One Flushing High School junior, who spoke to 1010 WINS anonymously, expressed her concerns about the scanners being reinstated.
She said the scanners cause delays and make getting into school difficult due to the large number of students. “There’s a lot of people in our school, and it takes a long time, so it’s difficult. That’s why they don’t do it all the time,” she explained.
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As the city grapples with these safety issues, the debate over how to protect students continues. Some call for more scanners and safety officers, while others worry about the impact these measures could have on school routines and the learning environment.