CMS Security: Students To Be Randomly Wanded, Backpacks Searched

CHARLOTTE, NC — In the wake of a deadly school shooting in late October that claimed the life of a Butler High School student at the hand of another student, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will soon launch new security measures that include random searches of student backpacks and randomly wanding students for weapons, officials announced Friday afternoon.

The move comes as Charlotte school officials have been forced to confront the challenges of school security after a 16-year-old was fatally shot by a fellow student at Butler High School in Matthews Oct. 29. Student Jatwan Craig Cuffie, 16, pulled out a handgun in the crowded hallway of Butler High School shortly after 7 a.m. and fatally shot Bobby McKeithen, 16, with a stolen handgun.

The new measures will go into effect in January after winter break. CMS already deploys visitor screening, camera monitoring on campuses, as well as school resource officers at middle and high schools.

“We have consulted with law enforcement, we have conducted internal reviews and we have looked at ideas and best practices from other districts,” CMS superintendent Clayton Wilcox said.

“This is not just a school problem – it’s a community problem,” he said.

The new measures include a mix of technology, procedure and actions.

According to CMS, the random wanding and backpack searches will be conducted by trained security personnel, and will be overseen by CMS’ police force.

CMS is also increasing camera monitoring of all portable classrooms and is accelerating the use of “panic cards” allow teachers to send emergency calls for help to school district staff and law enforcement, it said.

The school district will also be working to improve its crisis communications to families of students,” it said.

CMS says it plans to hold a series of community town halls devoted to school security, beginning before the end of 2018.

“I strongly encourage everyone – students, families and staff – to say something if you see something that can threaten our safety,” Wilcox said.

RELATED:

• Gun Found At East Charlotte High School: Report
• Charlotte High School On Lockdown After Online Threat: Reports
• Day of Guns, Threats, Fear At 3 Charlotte Area Schools

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