Alabama Schools Consider Additional Security Measures Following Shooting

Alabama Schools Consider Additional Security Measures Following Shooting

Concerns about school safety have increased in the wake of an altercation at Davidson High on Friday at about 9 p.m. after a basketball game. Two people were shot, and the suspect is currently at-large.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • January 31, 2019

Officials at Mobile County Public Schools are considering additional security measures such as police officers at extracurricular events or the presence of metal detectors following a shooting after a basketball game Friday at Davidson High School, Alabama.com reports.

Superintendent Chresal Threadgill and Director of Safety and Security Andy Gatewood will meet this week with Mobile Police Chief Lawrence Battiste to discuss the potential hiring of police for all extracurricular events.

“What we’re looking at now is a mandate that all schools hire a patrol officer to patrol at extracurricular activities,” Threadgill said. “We don’t have a cost yet, but we are working on it.”

The school district currently has 12 school resource officers placed on its campuses. It’s unknown whether the district plans to add additional SROs.

Concerns about school safety have increased in the wake of an altercation at Davidson High on Friday at about 9 p.m. after a basketball game. Two people were shot, and the suspect is currently at-large.

The shooting prompted school board member Reginald Crenshaw to call on the school system to consider adding metal detectors for security during extracurricular events.

“The gun battle [outside Davidson] could mean that [the shooters] may have had the weapons inside. I’m not saying for sure,” Crenshaw said. “I want to make sure we secure those basketball games, and also football games.”

Gatewood said the school system is “open to any ideas and suggestions” that would enhance security and safety on campuses.

“There is a lot to consider with metal detectors, including entry point and who is manning the detectors,” Gatewood said. “We are not closed-minded to any ideas that may potentially make our students and staff safer.”

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

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