West Valley High School locked down after gun found in locker
Originally published Friday, August 22, 2008 at 11:46 a.m.
Updated Friday, August 22, 2008 at 11:58 p.m.
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Stumble It!FAIRBANKS — A 17-year-old West Valley High School senior who brought an unloaded handgun to school Friday has been charged with fourth-degree weapons misconduct, a misdemeanor.
No one was hurt in the incident, which came on the third day of the 2008-09 school year.
The student, who reportedly has gang ties, has been expelled, according to Alaska State Trooper Sgt. Chad Goeden and school superintendent Nancy Wagner.
The school went into lockdown mode for about two hours while troopers investigated. The student’s name is being withheld.
The weapon was a .45 caliber handgun, and the student possessed no ammunition. He reportedly brought the gun to school Friday morning in his backpack and stored it in his locker.
Authorities are still trying to determine why the gun was brought to the school.
“He said that he forgot it was in his bag,” Goeden said. “He says that he didn’t intend to harm anyone or hurt anyone, which I readily believe because there was no ammunition.”
The gun does not belong to the student, and troopers are investigating how he came to have it.
“He didn’t purchase it,” Goeden said.
One or more students reported the weapon to school officials shortly before 9 a.m., Wagner said.
Goeden declined to say how the students learned of the handgun to protect them from possible retaliation.
The school was put into Code Yellow, allowing officials to keep the hallways clear. Students were confined to classrooms until shortly before 11 a.m.
“Everyone is safe,” Wagner said. “The student was taken into custody by the state troopers. We have a zero tolerance for weapons. We want to emphasize the fact that our schools are safe and that our plans that we have for crisis work. They worked well today. We’re thankful that our students take responsibility for keeping the school safe, and they report incidents.”
Goeden said the student is being held at the Fairbanks Youth Facility.
Community Discussion
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All the more reason to send your kids to a private school.
This could happen in any school, private or public
You don't think that doesn't happen in private schools? Where I was from we got all the drugs from the private school kids, because that is where the money was.
Thanks to the students who took a stand and reported it!
the right to bear arms is not to be infringed
Not to cause a stir but I would interesting to know what the ethnic background is of the idiot.
Justasking, keeping a high school student from repeating a Columbine massacre isn't infringing on anyones rights.
Cudos to the the Students that reported the incident!
Now if Barrack was in-charge dad or whomever the gun was stolen from is facing 10 years in prison with a felony conviction, while the kid just gets expelled.. irony.
Dont turn this into a political thing
I think those that reported this ought to be publicly honored and rewarded. We usually hear about the bad and get the whodunnit, but it'd be nice for once for some kids who did the RIGHT thing to be rewarded and recognized for it. That's how you curb things like this...punish the bad behavior and reinforce the good. In my eyes you kids that reported this are heros!
but Bob what if the student was going to usse the gun in self-defence against a Virginia tech type incidence????
doesn't this student have the right to defend him or her self?
Why not provide a gun safety classes to all students to teach do's and dont's of safely handling firearms and become law abiding members of the community.
Try starting up a shooting team. Compete with other school systems just like many other schools in the nation. If you educate folks the lure of the unkown doesn't happen. Teach the good mature use of guns early.
" A polite population is a armed population!
I agree that the students reporting the gun should be rewarded for the safety of the schools. Good Job!
But remember Guns are not bad-- uneducated people are!
millerpa: Why does this kids' ethnic background matter? What difference does it make? It's a child, who made a really bad decision, and who now will have to pay the consequences. Whether he or she is white, blue, red, black, native, asian, or even friggin purple...it makes no difference.
Crucible
The indefinite expulsion from the FNSBSD is in addition to any criminal charges that the DA might pursue. It is a felony to bring a gun into a gun free zone. Whether our DA actually will prosecute it or not will remain to be seen
To justasking: sorry, but you're an idiot! Yes, an idiot, and one with a poor command of his/her native language. Rights are infringed UPON!!!
Secondly, no one should have a gun in a school. If you choose to use guns, then hopefully only in a safe way. Guns have no place on the streets. They might be used for hunting or recreation, but there is no reason to bring a gun into a school, a bank, the supermarket, etc.
"The punk's name is being withheld", to paraphrase.
Because of the internet it won't be. We'll find out who this little nutjobber is.
I am sure that the kids that reported it don't want to be publicly honored. I am sure they don't want anyone to know that they narced on a fellow peer. Leave the kids alone they already know they did the right thing.
Justasking--honestly. What happenend to good ol self defense with the hands? I am not against guns, but when it comes to my kids being in a safe environment its apples and oranges. Kids (and adults) are too afraid of getting a good ol ass whoopin. Kids should be taught to defend themselves, but in the right way. They should be taught about guns and saftey, there is a time and place for everything, but not in the school system. Take your kids to the South Cushman Rifle Range and teach them about guns--let them feel the power and how scary it can be and just what kind of damage guns can cause.
I shot a 30-06 when I was 10 yrs old, it put bruises on me from my bicep to my chin and also my butt from landing on it. It was great though--I knew what guns could do then and it scared me to go near them when I was a kid. As I got older I learned to respect guns and not be afraid.
My daughter attends WV. Yes, this can happen anywhere and yes, this can be perpetrated by anyone, of any ethnic or cultural background. I'm very thankful that some brave young people came forward this morning and they should be commended and recognized by the school, their peers and our community. Things like this unfortunately happen, and it's a real cry-out for help in most cases. The school district cannot take chances about the real intentions of any incident that is clearly spelled out in their rules and conduct manual. This kid will be offered help one way or another, and hopefully she or he will be willing to fully accept it with the support of her/his family.
"To justasking: sorry, but you're an idiot! Yes, an idiot, and one with a poor command of his/her native language. Rights are infringed UPON!!!
Secondly, no one should have a gun in a school. If you choose to use guns, then hopefully only in a safe way. Guns have no place on the streets. They might be used for hunting or recreation, but there is no reason to bring a gun into a school, a bank, the supermarket, etc."
hey mac..how is that you know what my native langauge is?
there have been numerous calls for folks to carry in all types of envionrments,
or nayB I'm jist a pore typist?
rshunter: "Try starting up a shooting team."
West Valley has a rifle team.
Dont release the names of the kids who found the gun. What if the student who had the gun was part of the gang and a few weeks later we see a report of them getting shot?
Well if the students who reported this aren't in NHS, I personally think they should be voted in!
What kind of gun, a BB gun, soft pellet gun ,48, air etc. What makes you think it was a guy, maybe a girl brought it. For what reason? Where was the ammo, a gun without ammo doesn't do much. Seems a lot of people are jumping to a lot of conclusions without very much information.
This isn't going to sit well with a lot of you.
What the hell is the big deal?
Seriously, I don't get it.
Thank you very much Amanda Bohman.
Thank you very much superintendent Nancy Wagner
Thank you very much to the students for taking a stand.
Thank you very much, for informing and educating the public about the school's emphasize, the fact that our schools are safe and that the District's plans work in crisis events. The District's Strategic Planning succeeded thru prevention, intervention, suppression, accountability and working with the local Police Depts.. Strategic Planning works. Thank You
Staff at W.V. I applaud you, thank you. You are all awesome.
Names of innocent people are protected, and addressed thru the District's and local law enforcement's Strategic Planning.
See what doing the right thing can do. Makes heros for our children.
KenWoods--didn't you say your a teacher somewhere? How would you like all your kids carrying guns? Anytime you made stupid comments like above they could just pull one out and use it on you. Do you think that would be a big deal?
DONB99705, my only point is that we, the people of Alaska and of Fairbanks are being infiltrated by ethic groups which spawn gangs, crime etc. They are and will unless we stop it change our quality of life just as dramatically as global warming is changing the enviroment in Alaska. I am not predgious but certain ethnic groups are very strongly associated with this and some may be illegals. We the people of Alaska have every right to speak out about this and do everything we can to put an END to it NOW!!! Before it is too late!!!
@lagirl: No, I'm not a teacher. Good god, do you _really_ think someone would give me a job teaching children?
I'd kill them before the first week was out.
(that said, "your" is not the same as "you're"...)
It's your attitude and supposition that leads children to carry guns, however.
Yes, I know you don't understand why.
millerpa: You're an idiot.
Kenwoods, Look at your statement to @lagirl, I dont hold your opinion in very hight regard.
excuse me, with very high regard!
Any and all of you who think anything about this incident is amusing should be ashamed of yourselves - ditto racist or idiotic political rantings - and ditto gun fetish rantings. Not to mention that some of you gun fetish folks have a few screws loose...The rest of us (which is nearly all of us) recognize that.
My children went to West Valley and they were safe, but they might not have been. This forum may be a good place to bring this to adults' attention: when I drove school bus, recently, we were instructed that if we were aware of any student on our bus having a gun, we were to go to the school (no kidding), unload the students as normal (sure! that's normal!), secure the bus (turn it off and take the key), follow the students into the school building (and yes, 'follow' them), make no mention of anything on the radio (which is supposedly monitored by the district and which I think is also monitored by public safety - it should be - but the company said we could use no code, nothing), and then walk into the office and report the gun to a school administrator. I asked if there could be a code to report this before the gun was taken into the school. I was told in no uncertain terms, "No." What a bunch of irresponsible idiots. Great idea, let the kid walk into the school with the gun.
Just thought this would be a good place to get that little piece of information out into the open.
Certainly serious charges should be, and will be, brought against this student.
Thank you to those who had the common sense and sense of responsibility to report the firearm. You have courage and common sense. Thank you.
millerpa "my only point is that we, the people of Alaska and of Fairbanks are being infiltrated by ethic groups which spawn gangs, crime etc."
So are "the people of Alaska" now considered it's own ethnic group? I was raised here, I am white, my buddy was raised here, he is black. Are we now the same ethnic group because we were raised here? What a moronic statement.
Sure, gangs are a problem, but they are a reflection of any society, not any ethnic group. Look at Columbine, upper middle class white kids who were bored and outcast. Granted, not a "gang" in the trtaditional sense, but I think we will find in time that this kidiot (new word) at WV is not a gang in the traditional sense either.
"I am not predgious [sic] but certain ethnic groups are very strongly associated with this and some may be illegals."
Sounds prejudice to me.
millerpa: I'm more than OK with the fact that you don't hold my opinion in high regard. It provides further proof of the dichotomy between the socioeconomic demographics that exist in Fairbanks.
Me, accepting of all races.
You, worried and scared.
Still, I don't see what the big deal was. Kid brought a gun to school to impress all of his friends. An stupid move, sure. But...really, is it cause for panic?
millerpa: You might not be prejudiced but you certainly are guilty of stereotyping. Ethnic groups don't create gangs...lack of parenting and proper guidance coupled with a complete disregard for anything other than oneself is what creates gangs. Those things and a feeling of not belonging anyway. Stereotyping in this way might very well be perceived as hate, maybe not, but it certainly comes across as intolerance! If you want to do something to fight the formation of gangs, then you need to embrace and accept folks who are different from yourself...not write them off and cast them out. I agree that you have a right to speak out on this, even though I disagree with your opinions.
I and my classmates brought guns to school almost every day when I was in High school. Big deal. Get guns into the hands of the good guys and get out of the way....
As many people packin now days i guess i better dust off the smoke wagon and holster up. Thank god obama is not in charge how do we know the kid got the gun from his dad maybe he got it from a firend who stole it. Now get out there and do some target practice.
"We have a zero tolerance for weapons." Any zero tolerance policy is retarded. It means that the officials would rather kill all possible offenders (here all children in the area) than tolerate even a 0.000000000000001% probability of a student bringing an unloaded paint ball gun or empty aspirin bottle to school.
Think on the margin already. Balance risks and costs. Any school official who supports zero tolerance either does not understand the basics of mathematics or is genocidal towards children. Neither should be tolerated.
All citizens should have a basic understanding of microeconomics.
DONB99705- wait until one of those thugs drive by and shoot you or one of your family members,then you might change you mind. As you may or may not know, the recent gang activity is ethnically based, ignoring that dosnt make the problem go away. It should put a little pressue on the good folks of those ethic groups to rid themselves of the scum which are giving them a bad name--wouldnt you think!
Thank God for the grammer police! What would the world do without socially inept people?
It's my attitude and supposition that leads children to carry guns?? What attitude is that? Since you are sooo much smarter than everyone here--please enlighten us.
There is absolutely no reason someone should bring a gun to school!!!
Maybe this kid is crying out for help. Attention Maybe? I don't know, but I hope it is looked into. Just a thought.
lagirl,
I agree with you, but I have to laugh. You misspelled grammar.
lagirl: Told you you wouldn't get it. Also it's "grammar", not "grammer".
(Also, the word "Technician" doesn't have one "n". Yes, I know you don't understand that either. It's OK....)
Anyway, yes, it's your attitude that leads children to carry guns. You assumed that if I were a teacher, that I would somehow think it was a big deal if a kid pulled a gun on me. Why would I think that was a big deal?
(seriously, if you have the patience, you'll see where I'm going with this....)
When I read threads like this I am truly sadden. The sheer number of narrow minded individuals who post "congrats to the school board" and "good job students who reported" is appalling. The immediate response from these type of people is "REMEMBER COLUMBINE!". And yes, while the atrocity that occurred at Columbine did involve guns, guns were not the problem and certainly removing them is not the solution. The children that perpetrated that act were "troubled" at best. Intervention and some attention paid to these troubled teens would have circumvented their need to act out.
However we have too many among our current population that believe it is the government's, or the school's, or the nanny's responsibility to raise their children and do not make the effort to give their kids the attention they need. One hundred years ago we did not have these problems with children acting out. Fifty years ago we didn't have this problem either. One thing that studies have found--and something that is currently rampant in our society--is that a lack of parental involvement is a major factor in a child's tendency to act out. But today's parents have no time for family, whether they are workaholics, drug addicts, or just selfish. It all has the same effect on the child, neglect.
The lack of educated and well thought responses plague these boards. To say that they should lock this teen away and file criminal charges against them is mob mentality. How will any of this help address the problems that this child is most likely having? It won't. However many of you, aksunshine, bobgray1, crucible, donb99705, and a slew of others take the position that it is better to react to the symptom than to act on the problem. This is the "panic reaction" that reduces our independence, carves away our individual rights, and creates a larger bureaucracy to further oppress the public at large.
Most of you folks here are just as much a part of the problem as this child's parents are.
Bornnbred: Wait just a minute! I FULLY agree with you that it's the problem that needs to be acted upon. Suggestions? What I don't understand is how you've arrived at the conclusion that anything I've said has anything to do with "reacting to the symptom." I simply started by offering that the offender's ethnic background is of no consequence in this instance. And I don't believe it is. Then I tried to get across that if you want gangs to go away then you need to start at the root of the issue...but apparently I've done a poor job of getting my point across and explaining my position.
I guss Im to stupd to figre thus out! Dos it mak u fel more importnant to piont out others flws? Or are you just that inadequate in other areas?
BTW--uncommon_sense it was kinda funny that I misspelled gammar. :)
DonB99705: It was the position, perceived by me, expressed in your fist post. If I have mistakenly lumped you in with the others, I apologize.
Hey Bornnbred, really, I'm not offended. I am at times mistaken as well...frequently I might add. But seriously, if you've got some ideas on how to put the kybosh on this gang stuff, I'm all ears. E-mail me some time.
lagirl,
I was going out on a limb and hoping you had a sense of humor, I am glad to see that you do. Wish more folks did.
I think the problem with our schools as well as much of society is cultural. Examining the culture of america is vast and diverse so it really isn't anything that can be simplified with easy answers. Parenting is probably the biggest culprit for the school's problem but districts are in no position to affect any change there. The question is why our culture allows parents to decide having a hands-off role in their child's eduacation is perfectly normal.
Columbine, shoot fire we should remember the Bethel school shooting.
DonB99705: While I have ideas I am not convinced they are fully achievable on a national scale, and as the foundation would take a minor reversion in our society it may not even be possible. I would also agree that this is not the medium to lay it all out. That said, I believe that more parental involvement is key to teaching responsible behavior in children. I also believe that education in both academics and weapon handling/safety is necessary.
A caveat to this idea however is that many "parents" today have no idea what it means to be a responsible parent and that would need to also be addressed. The hurdle here would be to create a "parenting school" that enforced values that the community as a whole would endorse; this is not something that the government could be trusted with and would require a communal board and public input to draft an adequate lesson plan.
Essentially I think we need to focus on rebuilding the family unit, and I am convinced that by doing so many of the social problems we now face will be overcome.
Bornnbread--the problem lies with people like KenWoods that think this is not a big deal. You could set up all kinds of parenting schools, but if the parent doesn't feel like it is wrong then there is no point. Unfortunatly that brings us back to treating the symptom.
All of you who question the motives
These Gangs is the reflection of our society, our valley, our town, any gangs are a reflection of any society.
"being infiltrated by ethic groups which spawn gangs, crime etc."
Please research that comment, to educate yourself.
"ethnically based"
Please research that comment, to educate yourself.
I'm surprized someone would put a child down for reporting a crime, that "child or children" stood up as an adult(s). Shame on you.
It's against the National, State, School District's Educational Code, and National, State, Local gun laws to carry a gun on a campus. Simple it's a crime.
"The sheer number of narrow minded individuals who post "congrats to the school board" and "good job students who reported" is appalling."
What is appalling is if you are ever a victim of a gang member or crime you would call 911 for help. But verbally attack those of us that see that child/children did the right thing and praised them for it. They have been instructed to report weapons on campus. Don't use us to attack the child/children who did call 911 to thier school staff and deny them respect. Roads have laws to obey so does schools for students. It's that simple.
Rewards should be given to these and any future others for being brave enought to stand against negative peer pressure and behavior. An idea is if local businesses stepped up with "rewards" for the students that step up to the base.
Local businesses supporting postive behavior by students sends a message directly to the one who did right without exposing them to the dangers of peer pressure. Local businesses feel an impact by negitive gang behavior.
Lagirl ignore the insults, their intent to distract from your points on purpose. We all make mistakes in spelling and typos. If all thier minds is focused on grammar well what can I say. I'm guilty alot.
My daughter goes to WV and was in North Pole Middle when a couple of years ago a few kids had planned another 'Columbine'. It really affected her back then.I hope this little punk gets charged and they make his life miserable just to make a point. I hate to sound selfish and mean but I really don't care about that jerk when my kids have to experience crap like this.
To the kids who reported it: THANK YOU! WELL DONE!
National Gang History
http://www.gripe4rkids.org/his.html
The history of gangs
http://www.knowgangs.com/gang_resources/...
History of Gangs including Crips, Bloods and MS-13
http://www.hiphopmusicclassic.com/Histor...
History of Youth Gangs
http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/jjbulletin/9808/h...
Educate yourselves
Thanks P. I agree that these kids did the right thing by telling someone, but I don't think they would want it publicly announced. Looking good infront of your peers is all those kids have at this age, and I don't think they would want to be pointed out as a narc. These kids know they did the right thing and hopefully there parents will reward them.
In my high school it was not uncommon to have a kid sitting next to you clicking a gun for intimidation. We had gang fights and racial fights all the time, scary. I had hoped that this would not find its way to Fairbanks, but I guess it is not far off.
lagirl,
I agree with you on not publicly announcing who the kids were that reported it, even though they deserve it.
What p...es me off though is, that out of fear of retaliation we can't even reward or publicly acknowledge when kids do something right like in this case. Have we really become this scared and paralized by these worthless scumbags? Where is this going? All we ever read is the bad and ugly about our teenagers and the good ones (which are the majority)are left unnoticed because we are scared? Lock him up, throw away the key (don't care if the gun was loaded or not), that way he wont even have the chance to turn into a cript or blood or whatever.
It was probably one of those military gang bangers from Fort Wainwright. They snuck in after the College Road drive-by and put it in the students locker ;-)
I am in my late 30s and grew up in a pretty tough school environment in SC. When we first started to see these school shootings on the news I had very interesting conversation with my mother (a teacher). I told her that I just did not understand kids taking guns to school, just fight with your hands and be done with it. Her response was to remind me that I had taken a shotgun (with ammo) and often a large caliber rifle to school almost everyday of my high school career simply because it was in my truck, as we often went hunting and fishing right after school. I was a fighter and more than once I got my butt kicked by somebody bigger and stronger than I was. Not once did I ever even think of going to my truck and coming back with that shotgun...I just took my beating and got over it. Guns are not the problem. Idiots with guns are.
lagirl:
Fear, power, and control.
Fear from you.
You're afraid.
They see it. They feed on it.
They learn they can gain that control and power over you.
Ok I am parent too. I have friends of my kids that attend WV. My daughter was at Barnette a few years ago when that incident happened there. I am really not trying to be naive and maybe I am especially after everything that has happened in this community lately but I don't see anything that ties this incident with gangs. Just because the student had a gun (not should have Happpened). Is it not possible that it could have been a cry for help. That the student was possible suicidal..that's why kids knew about it. Not ever kid in trouble belongs to a gang.
Another KenWoods impostor, huh?
DNM, why do you allow this?
Student carry guns or any type of weapons to school and no big deal?
Infants get left in vehicles, alone while mother goes exercise or whatever and no big deal?
Whatever. Many of us think it is a big deal and needs to be dealt with.
Boohoo if the jerk was suicidal or still is. Boohoo if he was crying for help. Don't care if he was just showing off, having a good ole time. Whatever, don't drag my kids into your psycho crap! I'm sick of those poor little future psycho maniacs.
No, I don't understand 'KenWo0ds'. I am not at such a low, dumb level like yours. Couldn't reach it even if I tried. You beeing a teenager explains you. That testosterone must be killing you. Have you had your Ritalin today?
Tempus_Fugit ,
Thank You for telling me about the rifle team.
Point taken and it's great that the school system supports responsible use of rifles.
Maybe a pistol team could be next?
To the students who had the guts to tell school officals about the pistol.
a heartfelt thank you
MEL1776, woodman, and Bornnbred,
I have agree with all three of your point of views. First off, the story is very vague in details. Secondly ZERO TOLERANCE is a stupid policy except for child molesters and rapists. Let me give all of personal example.
I just happen to be from Colorado, the good part on the eastern plains, away from all of the cities, gangs, violence, and all of the other crap the cities have to offer. Anyhow because of the school shootings at Comlumbine High School, the state of Colorado in my opinion went overboard and developed a zero tolerance policy for ANY type of weapon that is brought to school, the student will be expelled for the entire school year, no ifs, ands or buts. Three years ago my nephew, who is raised by both his father and mother who are hard working parents and have taken the time and effort to instill certain qualities in him, such as a strong work ethic, respect for his elders, just to name a few. My nephew works for a rancher after school, still does to this day. One day during PT, he is changing from his clothes into his PT clothes and a pocket knife falls out of his jeans, a pocket knife he used working for the rancher. A student who my nephew didn't get along with reports it to the PT teacher. Well as you can guess my nephew was expelled, this was in November. Because of that my nephew lost a year of his life, he isn't able to get back. He attempted to go to other schools in the local area, but the wouldn't admit him for what he had "done" previously. My nephew didn't have any intention on hurting anyone. That is why ZERO TOLERANCE policy isn't a smart policy.
Mrs. Wagner, do not act like your the saviour of all of WV students. Before expelling the student who brought the UNLOADED gun to school, find out what cirmstances of this event are before taking action. Yes I will agree bringing any gun to school is STUPID, and should not be tolerated, but find out the particulars, then and only then take the NECESSARY actions to prevent it from happening in the future.
Maybe the person went shooting targets the night before and forgot to take it out of their backpack. We are in Alaska after all. I'm not trying to make excuses for what happaned, I'm just saying lets not jump to conclusions. Yes I do have children in school and as a parent I would be upset, but if it were my child who brought the gun to school, I can guarantee you this, the supt. of schools or the troopers would be the least of his worries. He'd have me to contend with.
Now if this person knowingly took the gun to school, I say where in the hell did he/she get it to begin with? Where are the parents at, in all of this? How about laying some responsibility on them.
For all of you talking gangs, and ethnicity, and all of that garbage, you are way of base. The story never mentioned anything about gangs, ethnicity. Stay on subject. If you want to argue with one another about all of that BS go somewhere else.
I agree with milerpa. Just try walking around south cushman late at NIGHT---good luck not getting robed or harrassed.That coming from an average joe,not someone with their nose stuck in the air.thats the way I feel,or mabey im just color blind.I got my ass kicked just walking down 23rd,minding my own business.by THREE "ethnic people"
lagirl, vodp, and others
I agree that these kids did the right thing by telling someone, but I don't think they would want it publicly announced. I agree100%
To explain myself a lil clearer. Many businesses donate coupons for hambugers, fries, or coke, or pizza, burrito, ice cream, etc. to schools for reasons such as: grades, attendance, improvement, citizenship awards.
As a rule these coupons are given with a certicate in a public setting. What I thought, was these and other students that step up to the base could receive their's in private. Another way could be during "RED RIBBON" week. Just so the public can say thank you even if it is in private. Or at a later date. Rewards should be given to these and any future others for being brave enought to stand against negative peer pressure and behavior. To do it publicly like other awards is a safety issuse. To be IDed as a snitch a rat a narc is not a good or healthy idea. Announcing who the kids are wont happen and it shouldn't.
As for guns on campus and the safety of other students are in the National Educational Code, The State Educational Code, and District Codes, basic gun laws. Guns on any part of a campus is a crime regardless of your intent. So giving a gun to a student to take to school is a crime. For you and the student.
lagirl just a tip on this site there is a "Sybil" with 4 comps 4 ids 4 personas, my software warns me.
Or wait till someone tells you: "you got a Cali attitude" if you know facts from a gang experience. Or "this isn't Cali.", I remember when Cali was saying this isn't the Big Apple. I'm seeing denial all over again but this time it is here. I feel I went back in history.
I'm sure many others feel it too if they are transplants here.
Educate, take pics, call info in, take license plate numbers, support the efforts to bring this under control.
P_Davenport
Actually, businesses rewarding with coupons etc. in a private setting is a good idea. I just think they should know how much we as a community (especially me as a parent) appreciate them coming forward.
Anyone who says no big deal is simply fishing for an argument. Looks like it worked. There is no reason for a kid to take a gun inside a school. Hopefully this kid is old enough to be charged with a felony and denied the right to gun ownership in the future.
vodp
I agree 100%
I've seen unsealed cards taken by people to schools and cleared by the schools and given to the student. I've also seen cards signed and posted in school offices. I've seen letters written to the Hero in newspapers. All nameless. But the child knows it's for them. But my best advice is call WV and see what thier policy is.
P_Davenport: You are obviously struggling with your own "gang demons" and I hope you get the help you need.
What you seem to be missing is the point of this article and that there is no mention of it being gang related. You are demonstrating the type of hysteria generally displayed by those very meek in nature.
This story is about a child that has taken an unloaded gun to school. The article doesn't even specify what type of "gun" it is. It could be a paintball gun just as easily as it could be a 480 Superhawk. It may not have even been a functional weapon.
Your insistence that others need to "research that comment, to educate yourself" is laughable when you cannot seem to even retain the information in this small article--no gangs mentioned. Your links, while mildly informative, are barely more than propaganda, which you quote very well I might add. However, the point is that the story was not about gangs and the discussion was focused around the typical knee-jerk response, like yours, that doesn't offer anything up to address the underlying motivating factors. If we as a society only react and refuse to act on the real problem then we fail in every conceivable sense of the word. I'll explain, if your children are going to a school that was built on a toxic waste dump, are all developing cancer, and all you can muster is to cut out the tumors, then you are only addressing the symptoms. These children will continue to get cancer and die until such time as you clean up the waste.
And I personally would consider a child who confronts the student with the gun in his/her locker more of a "hero" than someone who runs to the principal. As Coldblooded pointed out, there could have been mitigating circumstances and the paranoia in the herd will have ruined this child's life for nothing.
Until the whole truth is known, there is equal possibility that this is an innocent mistake as there is that this is a sinister plot.
aksunshine I agree we should remember the bethel school shooting which was the very first case of a shooting going on in schools then came columbine which made a big stink since it was all over the front page of the newspapers, no one really reamembers what went on in bethel but I know maybe a few who wish they could forget the shooting in bethel my brother in law for one.
Times sure have changed. I remember riding the bus in the 70's with my .22 unloaded of course. No ammo with me but it was no big deal. I was on the rifle team.
I know there is much paranoia after Columbine but this seems like a pretty harmless incident.
It is good that the other kids had the sense to report it.
Pat
Here is a copy of the AST press release...
Location: Fairbanks
Case number: 08-70048
Type: Misconduct Involving Weapons 4
Text: On the morning of 8/22/08, staff at West Valley High School in Fairbanks received a tip that a 17 year old male student had brought a handgun to school and that it was in his locker. After searching the locker and finding the gun, staff called AST, who responded to the school and took custody of the .45 caliber handgun and the student. While there was a magazine with the gun, there was no ammunition found. The student, who admitted going to a deserted area the night before to shoot the gun, said he had forgotten that he had put the gun in his school back pack, but once he realized it was there, he admitted showing the gun to at least one other student at the school, and telling others at the school about it. There was no evidence that he brandished the weapon or threatened anyone with it. He was arrested on the misdemeanor charge of Misconduct Involving Weapons 4th degree and taken to the Fairbanks Youth Facility.
Author: CJG0
Received Friday, August 22, 2008 5:22 PM and posted Friday, August 22, 2008 5:06 PM
Thank You Tozitna, an awful mistake in these times. I remember having my ammo and hunting knife in my pack one time when I got to school.
The boy should have called his parents and given it to them before things got out of hand. But it sounds like an honest mistake.
I cannot wait until my kids are grown and I can retire away from this paranoid society. Life is not much fun anymore with all the rules and regulations.
Pat <--- getting old and tired.
Looks like Coldblooded nailed this one.
Yup coldblooded hit the nail on the head this time good job.
Pat
Damn I must be psychic or have a 6th sense. I just pulled that reasoning for having the weapon out of thin air. But it is a logical reason for a 17 year old young man for having the gun.
Tozitnariver thanks for official story. I'm still curious as to why the parent(s) of this young man had no idea he had the weapon and then allowed him to take the gun to school??? Hmmm? How about charging the parent(s) with Accessory to Misconduct Involving Weapons 4, if there is such a charge?
People complain about our youth and that the parents aren't taking care of their responsibilities, why not force the parents to take care of their responsibilities. When their misguided children break the law charge them with the crime. Maybe that will wake up a few parents up, and help them realize just how miserably they are failing their children. Then they just might change their ways.
BornnBred;
Could you clarify where I am obviously struggling with my own "gang demons" ?
Where did I bring up gangs myself?
"This story is about a child that has taken an unloaded gun to school."
Exactly I never said different.
Where did I mention or specify what type of "gun" loaded or unloaded?
Exactly I never said it.
"Your insistence that others need to "research that comment, to educate yourself" is laughable"
I am sorry you feel that way, but that's your right.
I posted links that applied to someone else's comment about how long gangs has been around. Being helpful is easy.
"If you choose to call these "while mildly informative, are barely more than propaganda, which you quote very well I might add."
Juvenile Justice Bulletin ... informative, not propaganda
Lou Savelli, Vice President of the East Coast Gang Investigators Assn ... informative, not propaganda
Know Gangs has been a leading training provider for law enforcement, educators and social service workers seeking to enhance their knowledge about gangs, drugs and school violence. A police officer in California, Jared Lewis ... informative, not propaganda
"the typical knee-jerk response like yours,"
I am sorry you feel that way, but that's your right.
My knee-jerk response did not once mention the word gang outside of the names of the links on gang history which I did not name, then in a response to 1 person I used "gang experience" once in addressing her gang experience of sitting in a classroom with students with guns, not to you.
"research that comment, to educate yourself" is laughable when you cannot seem to even retain the information in this small article"
I'm happy you laughed. "educate yourself" was on the same links.
Are you so educated you know more than either of these the Juvenile Justice, the Vice President of the East Coast Gang Investigators Assn, A police officer. Than more power to you. Please research that comment, to educate yourself. To me, letting someone aware that facts, research, studies, government sites are out there to help us to educate ourselves is the right thing to do. Helping someone to find info allows one a chance of more indepth understanding. No insult intended. If you take it as an insult to help each other that is your right. Misunderstood but your right.
BornnBred
"If we as a society only react and refuse to act on the real problem then we fail in every conceivable sense of the word."
And I personally would consider a child who confronts the student with the gun in his/her locker more of a "hero" than someone who runs to the principal.
We agree to disagree. I personally would consider a child who did as his/her teacher, the principal, the coach; the school instructs them to do. More of a "hero", thier actions ensured the safety of the school. Schools has laws to obey that only apply to education in the same manner you have traffic laws, ensured the safety of the schools.
I'm sorry you would think a child who breaks a school directed law a hero. I think a child who obeys the rules and laws is on the right track to me. We agree to disagree.
"circumstances"
Where did I mention circumstances at WV, or ruin this child's life for nothing.
"ruined this child's life for nothing."
Where did I mention to ruin this child's life for nothing?
"As for guns on campus and the safety of other students are in the National Educational Code, The State Educational Code, and District Codes, basic gun laws. Guns on any part of a campus is a crime regardless of your intent. So giving a gun to a student to take to school is a crime. For you and the student."
That's the law, was you aware of that. Also a felony, was you aware of that..
Until the whole truth is known, there is equal possibility that this is an innocent mistake as there is that this is a sinister plot.
Have you looked at the state site?
The Troopers has it posted.
So please, Could you clarify where I am obviously struggling with my own "gang demons" ?
I stand by my first comment @ 8/22/2008, 2:27 p.m.
Thank you very much:
Amanda Bohman.
superintendent Nancy Wagner
Staff at W.V.
the Troopers(local Police Depts)
All handled themselves outstandingly professional to me. They controlled the area, was honest with the public, they announced it so no one can say they aren't doing thier jobs. Or are hiding school incidents