Lisia Lynch, Gleaner Writer
ST. MARY:
POPULAR ENTERTAINER and high school student Shane-O, knew what he was saying when he recorded his song "Too much guns in the streets."
This as a significant number of illegal weapons are being carried to school by teenagers and other youngsters.
In a recent roadblock and spot search conducted by a police team in in the Richmond district of St. Mary, a large number of knives and machetes were found in students' possession, most of whom were students of a nearby high school.
On the streets on a daily basis, especially in the square of Highgate, it has become almost certain that a brawl will take place among school children. Many residents in and around the community of Highgate are extremely concerned about the fights that take place, especially with the young children. "Recently, I saw a young student from Highgate Primary, no older than maybe 10, running down another boy with a knife and he had his 'gang' behind him," said a concerned resident.
RIGID SECURITY SYSTEM IN SCHOOLS
Security is, therefore, a grave concern for teachers and students in these educational institutions. High schools such as St. Mary High have brought into play a rigid security system in which students are monitored while entering and leaving the school ground.
"We have to constantly be conducting spot checks at school to eliminate the chances of students carrying illegal weapons to school," said a teacher from one of the high schools in the parish. "This helps somewhat, but I personally do not think it is enough, and some students hide their weapons when they hear that a search is on."
The police too have sought to play an active role in trying to reduce the carrying of illegal weapons to school. According to Constable Edward Campbell, of the Port Maria Police Station, students and young people on a whole carrying illegal weapons is not only a concern for the police force in St. Mary, but the nation at large.
"We try to do our part in sensitising students to the ill-effects of carrying weapons, not only it being against the law, but also expressing the dangers and fatalities it can cause to themselves and those around them," Constable Campbell said. He also told The Gleaner that the police visit schools weekly, get involved in parent-teacher meetings to speak to the parents, and take part in meetings with guidance councillors.
