Atlanta Schools: None Of Our Guns Have Been Stolen

Atlanta, GA -- The Atlanta School System says all of the handguns it had purchased for its new police department -- which will be sworn in on Thursday -- are accounted for.

On Wednesday, a report from an Atlanta media outlet said that Atlanta police were investigating an anonymous tip that 30 Glock handguns had been stolen. The .40 caliber weapons, retailing for around $450 each, had a combined value of between $12,000 and $15,000.

Late Wednesday evening, Patch received the following statement from the Atlanta public school system"

"On June 14, 2016, an anonymous tip was called into the school system’s ethics hotline alleging that he/she had heard from another source that 30 firearms were stolen from the trunk of a district vehicle. The Office of Employee Relations investigated the claims and as of today has found no evidence that district property has been stolen.

"As the district is in the process of launching its own police force, it has recently purchased 90 firearms. We can confirm that all of those guns have been accounted for and were never missing from the district inventory. APS investigators have also researched previously purchased firearms, and we can confirm that 18 guns are in the district’s inventory from prior year purchases. Investigators are continuing to examine the district’s historic accounting records to determine if any additional guns were ever purchased.

"While we have uncovered no evidence to suggest that these allegations are true, given the serious nature of these claims, the district has contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigations to seek their support in following up on these claims.

"If there are any truths to these allegations, the school system stands ready to hold the appropriate individuals accountable."

In February, the Atlanta Public School System announced plans for its own police department. On Thursday, a chief of police and 67 personnel will be sworn in, with the new department beginning full operation on July 1.

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