BALTIMORE, Md. — A week later, the attack on an employee at Frederick Douglass High School is still very fresh.
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A school staffer was allegedly shot two times by the brother of a student. Given the chance to talk to the newly appointed Acting Police Commissioner during one of his nine community meetings, people felt frustrated that the school board decided not to allow school police to carry their guns.
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“Not one person felt that we need to look at security for our schools, that’s scary. I’m assuming maybe there is a disconnect between the Baltimore City school board and the community residents and our students,“ said Dr. Marvin Cheatham from the Mathew Henson neighborhood association.
Michael Harrison listened to the concerns and explained school officers in New Orleans where he is coming from did carry weapons during his time there.
“As long as there are good standards in the state and I don’t know what the state’s standards are for private security that are armed. As long as the standards are correct and people go through the appropriate training to meet the standards and the parents and the faculty understand that and there are appropriate protocols for them to operate in the school. If the parents are okay with it then it can be managed and I can support it,” said Harrison.
Many people in the Western District just wanted Harrison to know they wanted to help in any way they could. Desiree Godbolt says she sees police in her community but nothing being done about the illegal drug activity right in front of them.
"I was wondering what the commissioner could do to help us go into the stores because it appears the stores are allowing it,” said Godbolt.
This was the 5th of nine scheduled community meet and greets with the new acting commissioner. The next one will be Tuesday in the Southwest District at Wildwood Elementary Middle School.
