• Police terrorize schools

    From Joe Bruchis@1:14/400 to Fido-Net.CONSPRCY on Monday, October 30, 2006 16:47:24

    Out of Control Cops Stage School Safety in Full Riot Gear

    Associated Press | October 29, 2006

    WYOMING, Mich. (AP) -- A school safety drill that included police officers
    in riot gear with weapons has caused concern among some parents who say it
    was too realistic and frightened some students.

    Police in the western Michigan community of Wyoming entered two classrooms
    at Lee Middle and High School on Thursday and announced there was a threat
    to the school, The Grand Rapids Press reported.

    Students, who were unaware police were conducting a drill, were taken from
    the classroom into the halls, patted down by officers and asked what they
    had in their pockets, the newspaper said.

    "Some of these kids were so scared, they just about wet their pants," said Marge Bradshaw, a parent with four children in Godfrey-Lee Schools. "I think it's pure wrong that the students and parents were not informed of this."



    Officers wore protective gear, including vests and helmets, and carried
    rifles that were unloaded and marked with colored tape to indicate they were not live weapons, the newspaper said.

    Diana Silva, a parent of an eighth-grade student, said the drill went too
    far.

    "My child was with his face to the wall in the hallway of the high school," Silva said. "I certainly don't want anything like this happening to my
    child."

    Principal David Britten said students weren't told ahead of time to make the drill as realistic as possible. Teachers were informed moments before it
    took place, he said.

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    "I think this is the best way to do it," Britten said. "We're not looking to scare anyone, but we want a sense of urgency."

    But Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody said his officers were not aware students and parents were not told. He said his department will mandate that parents be notified ahead of time in the future.

    "The purpose was to show how we will evacuate the classroom, not to assault the classroom," Carmody said.
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