Tag:

School Safety

Bucks Co. School Bus Catches Fire With 36 Students Onboard: Police (PHOTOS) Bucks Co. School Bus Catches Fire With 36 Students Onboard: Police (PHOTOS)
Bucks Co. School Bus Catches Fire With 36 Students Onboard: Police (Photos) Authorities in Newtown are investigating two separate fires involving school vehicles on Friday morning, March 22, according to the township police department.  The first fire happened in the parking lot at St. Andrew Catholic Education Center on Wrights Road around 7:45 a.m., police said. The vehicle was unoccupied and there were no injuries or damages to other property, authorities wrote.  The second blaze broke out on a Council Rock School District bus with 36 students and one driver onboard, according to police.  Scenes from the Council Rock school bus fire…
Bomb Threat Closes Saucon Valley Schools, Police Investigating Bomb Threat Closes Saucon Valley Schools, Police Investigating
Bomb Threat Closes Saucon Valley Schools, Police Investigating Saucon Valley School District canceled classes Wednesday, March 20 after administrators received a bomb threat, according to Lower Saucon police.  Authorities said they were contacted about the threat on Tuesday, March 19.  "The investigation is ongoing and there is a collaborative effort between the police department and the school district to ensure the safety of the students and staff of Saucon Valley School District," police said in a release.  "In an effort to not impact the ongoing investigation, the further release of information will be restricted." Anyone with info…
'Credible' Threat Prompts Restrictions At LCTI, Suspect In Custody: Admins 'Credible' Threat Prompts Restrictions At LCTI, Suspect In Custody: Admins
'Credible' Threat Prompts Restrictions At Lcti, Suspect In Custody: Admins An "external threat" received by Lehigh Career and Technical Institute administrators led to restrictions on campus on Tuesday, March 12, according to school officials.  LCTI did not describe the threat but said state police found it "credible." Movement was restricted on campus until all high school students were dismissed at 3:17 p.m., administrators said in a message on their website.  Evening adult education classes will continue as scheduled.  Upper Macungie police have arrested a suspect in connection with the incident, LCTI said.
High School Student Had Gun On Campus, Say Allentown Police High School Student Had Gun On Campus, Say Allentown Police
High School Student Had Gun On Campus, Say Allentown Police An Allentown teenager faces criminal charges after authorities say he showed up to school with a gun Tuesday morning, Dec. 19.  City police were called to Dieruff High School about a possibly armed student around 10:30 a.m., the department said in a release.  A school resource officer and responding APD officers eventually located the student, "who had been in possession of a firearm on school property," authorities said.  The 17-year-old was charged with possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, possessing a firearm as a minor, and unlicensed carry, APD said.&n…
BB Gun PA Student Took To Elementary School 'Not Intended To Harm,' Police Say BB Gun PA Student Took To Elementary School 'Not Intended To Harm,' Police Say
BB Gun PA Student Took To Elementary School 'Not Intended To Harm,' Police Say Yeadon police stopped by WB Evans Elementary School on Monday after a student showed up to class with a BB gun, the department said.  "The student in question was cooperative with police and school security," said borough police.  "At no time were any of the students or staff in danger, the student did not intend to harm anyone." Police and school administrators are handling the incident, authorities said.  Daily Voice has reached out to William Penn School District for comment. 
Roxborough Shooting Suspect Jumped From 4th Floor Window Before Arrest: Marshals Roxborough Shooting Suspect Jumped From 4th Floor Window Before Arrest: Marshals
Roxborough Shooting Suspect Jumped From 4th Floor Window Before Arrest: Marshals More than a year after the shooting that killed a 14-year-old boy outside Roxborough High School, the fifth known suspect has been captured.  Dayron Burney-Thorn, 17, was arrested by US Marshals in Germantown after leaping from a fourth-story window on Monday afternoon, Oct. 23, authorities said in a release.  He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Investigators believe Burney-Thorn was part of the group that ambushed Nicholas Elizalde and four others outside a Roxborough High football scrimmage on Sept. 27, 2022.  Elizalde, of Havertown, died from his wounds, while the other s…
Teacher From Philadelphia Charged With Sexually Touching Multiple Students: Prosecutor Teacher From Philadelphia Charged With Sexually Touching Multiple Students: Prosecutor
Teacher From Philadelphia Charged With Sexually Touching Multiple Students: Prosecutor A special education teacher at an elementary school in Burlington County has been charged with sexually touching seven students, authorities said. Vincent Root, 58, of Philadelphia, was charged with seven counts of sexual assault and seven counts of child endangerment at Chatsworth Elementary School, according to Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw Root was taken into custody Thursday, Oct. 12 at the Prosecutor’s Office in Mount Holly and held in Burlington County Jail pending a detention hearing in Superior Court.  District officials said Root has been placed on admi…
Teen Found With Loaded Gun At PA High School: Police Teen Found With Loaded Gun At PA High School: Police
Teen Found With Loaded Gun At PA High School: Police A high school student in Allentown was found to have a loaded handgun in his possession on Monday morning, Sept. 25, according to city police.  The 15-year-old and others were caught smoking in a William Allen High School bathroom when the school resource officer searched their belongings and came across the weapon, APD said.  The youth was charged with carrying a firearm without a license, a felony, and related misdemeanor counts, the department said.  He is also charged with marijuana possession.  "We communicated information with staff and families regarding a safet…
8 Teens Arrested After Fight Breaks Out At Abington High School: Police 8 Teens Arrested After Fight Breaks Out At Abington High School: Police
8 Teens Arrested After Fight Breaks Out At Abington High School: Police Eight students at Abington Senior High School were arrested after a fight "erupted"  on Thursday, Sept. 18, authorities say.  The brawl broke out just before 11:30 a.m., Abington police said. Video of the fight circulating on social media appears to show a large group of students in a hallway being separated by school security and police officers.  Wild fight at Abington High School! I’m told arrests have been made pic.twitter.com/oY6xKbLGsz — Sgt. Mark Fusetti (Retired) (@MarkFusetti) September 14, 2023 "The situation was brought under control as a result of the swift and coordinated …
Teen Boy Shot Dead Walking To School; Philly Police Release Video Teen Boy Shot Dead Walking To School; Philly Police Release Video
Teen Boy Shot Dead Walking To School; Philly Police Release Video Police in Philadelphia are searching for the four men who they say gunned down a 15-year-old boy as he walked to school early Tuesday morning.  It happened on the 1600 block of West Hunting Park Avenue just before 7:40 a.m. on March 28, city police told Daily Voice. The victim was walking with another individual when the four suspects approached them from behind, as seen in surveillance footage released by the department.  The Philadelphia Police Department Homicide Unit is looking to identify the four suspects, depicted in the following surveillance video excerpts, as part of an ongoi…
Shooting Hoaxes Prompt Police Presence At Lehigh Valley Schools Shooting Hoaxes Prompt Police Presence At Lehigh Valley Schools
Shooting Hoaxes Prompt Police Presence At Lehigh Valley Schools Law enforcement is investigating after phony reports of shootings with multiple victims at a pair of Lehigh Valley high schools prompted a police response early on Wednesday, March 29.  It started in Allentown at about 7:45 a.m., city police said in a statement. Dispatchers were told that several people had been shot at William Allen High School, but offciers quickly cleared the building and determined there was no threat after meeting with school staff, the department said.  Then, just before 8 a.m., state police in Northampton County were called about an active shooter at Catasauqua High…
Stolen Gun Found In Elementary School Student's Backpack In PA: Police Stolen Gun Found In Elementary School Student's Backpack In PA: Police
Stolen Gun Found In Elementary School Student's Backpack In PA: Police A central Pennsylvania elementary student brought a stolen gun and drugs to school, authorities say. The gun— without a magazine or any ammunition— was found in the juvenile's backpack— along with marijuana, at Elizabeth R. Martin Elementary School at 2000 Wabank Road, Manheim Township on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, area police said in a release the following afternoon.  "School staff took notice of irregularities regarding the behavior of the student and conducted a preliminary investigation," the police stated in the release. Officers were called to the school at 11:07 a.m. The firear…
Elementary School Threats Made By Sub. PA State Police Say (UPDATE) Elementary School Threats Made By Sub. PA State Police Say (UPDATE)
Elementary School Threats Made By Sub. PA State Police Say (Update) The threats that closed a Lancaster County elementary are now known to have been called in by a substitute teacher's aide, according to an updated release by the  Pennsylvania State Police on Thursday, March 2, 2023.  Naomi Shayanna Wenger, 20, of Lancaster, was linked by her phone number to the threats made to Martic Elementary School in the Penn Manor School District around 2:19 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, according to Pennsylvania State Police Trooper James Grothey. "Building staff immediately contacted Pennsylvania State Police, and the school was placed on lockdown. No one was…
Allentown Teen Brought Loaded Gun To School, Police Say Allentown Teen Brought Loaded Gun To School, Police Say
Allentown Teen Brought Loaded Gun To School, Police Say An Allentown high school was locked down Wednesday before authorities could track down and arrest a student who had brought a loaded gun on campus, officials said.  Administrators at Louis E. Dieruff High School learned that a student was in possession of a firearm at about 1:15 p.m. on Feb. 1, Allentown police said in a statement.  The school initiated its lockdown protocol and notified parents through "school messaging channels," the department continued. Meanwhile, school resource officers identified and located the accused student.  After a search, the 14-year-old boy wa…
Man Boards School Bus, Touches Girl In Chester County: Officials Man Boards School Bus, Touches Girl In Chester County: Officials
Man Boards School Bus, Touches Girl In Chester County: Officials Police are seeking the public's help in identifying the man who boarded a Coatesville school bus and touched a student early Thursday, Jan. 26. The man got on the bus that had stopped to pick up students around 6:50 a.m. at E. Chestnut and N. 6th streets, sat next to a girl and inappropriately touched her leg, officials said. The Coatesville Area School District Police are investigating.
Philly Elementary School Locked Down After Student Found With Gun: Report Philly Elementary School Locked Down After Student Found With Gun: Report
Philly Elementary School Locked Down After Student Found With Gun: Report An elementary school in northeast Philadelphia was locked down on Tuesday, Dec. 20 after administrators learned that a student had a gun, according to a report from 6abc.  Farrell Elementary School at 8300 Castor Avenue in the city's Rhawnhurst section went on lockdown at about 8 a.m., the outlet wrote.  The student was located and taken into custody, the firearm was confiscated, and classes resumed as normal by 9:30 a.m., 6abc reported.  Philadelphia School District does not appear to have acknowledged the incident on its official social media channels, and administrators w…
Fake Gun Locks Down Delco High School; Student Arrested Fake Gun Locks Down Delco High School; Student Arrested
Fake Gun Locks Down Delco High School; Student Arrested A Delaware County high school was briefly locked down Thursday, Dec. 8 after administrators spotted a gun in a student's backpack that turned out to be fake.  In a statement issued to parents and staff Thursday afternoon, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District Superintendent Wagner Marseille said staff at Strath Haven High School in Wallingford were informed that a student might have had a firearm in their bag.  The school locked down at around 10:45 a.m. as Nether Providence police searched the building. They arrested a student after discovering a "replica handgun" in h…
Former Chesco School Football Coach Charged With Sexual Abuse: DA Former Chesco School Football Coach Charged With Sexual Abuse: DA
Former Chesco School Football Coach Charged With Sexual Abuse: DA A one-time high school football coach in Chester County sexually abused an underage girl for years, authorities are alleging.   Kenneth Walls, a 77-year-old Downingtown resident and former staff football coach at Downingtown West High School, is being held at Chester County Prison in lieu of a $100,000 cash bond, said District Attorney Deb Ryan in a statement Friday, Nov. 4.  Police began examining Walls after the child told a staff member at her school, which is not in Chester County, that she was being sexually abused, the DA said.  Investigators said the 77-year-old …
Large Police Presence Reported At Philly Area High School Large Police Presence Reported At Philly Area High School
Large Police Presence Reported At Philly Area High School A threat cleared Coatesville Area High School just before 1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 16, officials said.  A large police presence was reported at the school in the early afternoon.  A Chester County official said authorities were responding to a threat directed at the school but declined to comment further.  Students were moved to the football stadium as authorities swept the building, the outlet said. The school canceled its homecoming football game on Oct. 7 after an online threat was deemed "credible" by law enforcement. The school was searched for weapons by police canine units on Thursda…
Hit-Run Crash Prompted Lockdown Of Southern Lehigh School District, Police Say Hit-Run Crash Prompted Lockdown Of Southern Lehigh School District, Police Say
Hit-Run Crash Prompted Lockdown Of Southern Lehigh School District, Police Say A hit-and-run crash prompted authorities to order a lockdown of the Southern Lehigh School District early Tuesday, Sept. 27, they said. The lockdown had been lifted by the time Upper Saucon Township police released details about the incident around 5 p.m. Officers were called to the crash with injuries on Route 378 in the area of Preston Lane just after 8:35 a.m., police said. The offending driver fled the scene in their vehicle, abandoning it at the Southern Lehigh Intermediate School, according to township police. "In an abundance of caution police requested that the district lock …
Woman Who Died After Being Struck By Car Outside Dieruff High School Was Paraprofessional Woman Who Died After Being Struck By Car Outside Dieruff High School Was Paraprofessional
Woman Who Died After Being Struck By Car Outside Dieruff High School Was Paraprofessional The woman who died after being struck by a car outside Dieruff High School in Allentown has been identified as a paraprofessional at the school, authorities said. Angela Yowakim, 25, was crossing Irving Street near Andre Reed Way when she was hit by the car just before the school day started around 6:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6, according to Allentown police and the Lehigh County Coroner's Office. The Allentown woman was brought to St. Luke’s Hospital - Bethlehem, where she was pronounced dead at 4:08 p.m., the coroner's office said. Her death was determined to be the result of multip…
PA School Bus Aide Sexually Assaulted Elementary School Students: Authorities PA School Bus Aide Sexually Assaulted Elementary School Students: Authorities
PA School Bus Aide Sexually Assaulted Elementary School Students: Authorities A 71-year-old Pennsylvania school bus aide was arrested for sexually assaulting several elementary students, including one who he invited to sit on his lap, authorities said. The Upper Dublin School District in May was notified of the allegations against Willow Grove's Kenneth Cannon, who helps to transport students to and from Thomas Fitzwater and Jarrettown Elementary Schools, the district said in a newly released statement.  He and the bus driver were immediately placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a police investigation. On one occasion between February and …
Student Charged After Bringing BB Gun To Eddystone Elementary School Student Charged After Bringing BB Gun To Eddystone Elementary School
Student Charged After Bringing BB Gun To Eddystone Elementary School A child was charged Thursday, June 2, after they showed up to a Delaware County elementary school with a BB gun, authorities said. At the start of the school day, police were called to Eddystone Elementary School, where they confiscated the BB gun and identified the student accused of bringing it in, Eddystone police said. Police said the unidentified student was "charged accordingly," but did not specify those charges. No injuries were reported. "This incident is a serious matter, and we will continue working hand and hand with school officials for maximum safety," police said in a Faceb…
PA Third Grader Shared Pot Edibles With 9 Friends — Then All Were Hospitalized: Reports PA Third Grader Shared Pot Edibles With 9 Friends — Then All Were Hospitalized: Reports
PA Third Grader Shared Pot Edibles With 9 Friends — Then All Were Hospitalized: Reports Several elementary-aged students in Pennsylvania were taken to the hospital after eating edible marijuana, authorities said. The incident happened Wednesday, May 25 in Chester (Delaware County) when a third-grade student at the Chester Community Charter School brought what police say were pot edibles, and shared them with at least nine other students, according to police and NBC10. Ten students were taken to a local hospital for treatment and later released, the outlet says. The incident remains under investigation by Chester City Officer Jose Alvarez, police said. Click here for…
Fire Breaks Out Inside Classroom At Lower Merion High School: Report Fire Breaks Out Inside Classroom At Lower Merion High School: Report
Fire Breaks Out Inside Classroom At Lower Merion High School: Report A small electrical fire broke out Tuesday, April 26 inside a classroom at Lower Merion High School, 6abc reports. Classes at the school on Montgomery Avenue in Ardmore had already been dismissed, but fire crews evacuated any remaining students and staff around 4:30 p.m., the outlet says. No injuries were reported. Click here for more from 6abc.
Philly Area Janitor Gave Students Candy Then Sexually Assaulted Them, DA Says Philly Area Janitor Gave Students Candy Then Sexually Assaulted Them, DA Says
Philly Area Janitor Gave Students Candy Then Sexually Assaulted Them, DA Says A 23-year-old middle school janitor has been arrested for sexually assaulting two student in Suburban Philadelphia, authorities said. Rushon "Shawn" Drayton, of Paoli, abused students ages 14 and 15, while working at the Valley Forge Middle School, and got friendly with them by handing out candy, Chester County DA Deborah Ryan said.  Drayton was charged with multiple counts of institutional sexual assault and other related charges, then released on $50,000 bail. Authorities believe there may be more victims. On April 10, the mother of a 14-year-old Valley Forge student at co…
PA School Shooter Arrested: Police PA School Shooter Arrested: Police
PA School Shooter Arrested: Police A school shooter has been arrested in Pennsylvania, according to local authorities. One person was shot at Erie high school after a shooting broke out around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 5, according to Erie police. "The individual is in good condition and has been transported to the hospital," Erie police say. The school was locked down for hours while police secured the building. The school is locked down, and students are safe. — City of Erie, Pennsylvania (@CityofEriePA) April 5, 2022 School officials evacuated the building shortly after they received the all clear from the police,…
Student Finds Bullet At Middle School In Lehigh Valley: Police Student Finds Bullet At Middle School In Lehigh Valley: Police
Student Finds Bullet At Middle School In Lehigh Valley: Police Pennsylvania State Police are investigating after a student found a bullet at a middle school in the Lehigh Valley, authorities said. The female student discovered the single Winchester Super X.22LR round as she was exiting the Lower Macungie Middle School shortly after 2 p.m. Monday, state police said. There were no other witnesses and there was no video surveillance where the bullet was found, troopers said. The incident remains under investigation.
Suburban Philly High School Student Arrested After Bringing Gun, Drugs To School Suburban Philly High School Student Arrested After Bringing Gun, Drugs To School
Suburban Philly High School Student Arrested After Bringing Gun, Drugs To School A high school student in suburban Philadelphia was arrested Friday morning after bringing a gun and drugs to school, authorities said. Juan Rivera, 18, was found with a handgun, drugs, and drug paraphernalia inside his bookbag at West Chester East High School around 9:30 a.m., West Goshen police said. There were no reported injuries, according to police. Rivera was charged with firearms not to be carried without a license, possession with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a weapon on school property. He was release…
TikTok School-Shooting Threats Aren't Credible, Authorities Say TikTok School-Shooting Threats Aren't Credible, Authorities Say
TikTok School-Shooting Threats Aren't Credible, Authorities Say Several schools across the United States closed on Friday while others issued warnings and boosted security following what authorities said were unfounded threats on TikTok of a school shooting. The anonymous TikTok "challenges" -- which apparently originated in Arizona and didn't specify any school or area -- frightened parents from one end of the country to the other. Many said they were keeping their children home on Friday, despite assurances that they had nothing to worry about. Law enforcement agencies nonetheless boosted their presence at and around schools if for no other reason tha…
Police Boost Presence At Bensalem High School Amid Alleged Threat Police Boost Presence At Bensalem High School Amid Alleged Threat
Police Boost Presence At Bensalem High School Amid Alleged Threat Police increased their presence at Bensalem High School on Monday in response to what some perceived to be a threat. Over the weekend, school district officials were notified about the apparent "threatening social media post" via Safe2SaySomething tips, the school district said Monday morning.  Over the weekend, the District received several Safe2Say Something tips about a threat made regarding Bensalem High... Posted by Bensalem Township School District on Monday, December 13, 2021 Safe2Say is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. "Be…