posted by Mike Madison at 3:38 PM /
As a Mt. Lebanon High School parent, I received the following message in my In Box this afternoon. I am reproducing it in full.
Today, May 2, 2007 at 12:45 p.m. Mt. Lebanon Police were called to the Mt Lebanon High School regarding a fight between two students. Prior to police arrival, a 16 year old male student involved in the fight fled the school premises after biting the other student.
As the responding officer gathered information regarding the incident from school personnel, it was learned that the suspect threatened to return to the school and commit acts of violence and that he referenced the Columbine School incident. At this time school security reported that the suspect may have returned to the high school at 1:25 pm. As a precautionary measure and at the direction of the Mt. Lebanon Police, an immediate lock-down of the school facility was ordered and police began establishing containment and a security perimeter. The school’s Critical Incident Plan was enacted.
With the assistance of school personnel, the police located and arrested the suspect in the swimming pool locker area without incident at 1:31 pm. No weapons were found.
The police department and school administration unlocked the facility after it was determined that it was safe at 1:38 pm.
The suspect was transported to MLPD and arrangements were made for a 302 mental commitment at St Clair Hospital based on the suspect’s actions and comments.
The other student involved in the fight sustained minor injuries.
Cooperation between school officials and the Mt. Lebanon Police Department was excellent and previously planned emergency response procedures worked well.
Labels: high school, police
19 Comments:
All that parents needed to know was that the student was taken into custody. The fact that he was "302'd" is private and to announce that fact is a violation of the Hippa law. I know that the child's name wasn't identified, but all of the high school students will know his name via the grapevine anyway.
This is where i get really angry with Mount Lebanon School District. I was in school during the Bamhammers incident (sp?), they didn't let us know anything. I was in school during 9/11, and they tried to cut off contact to the outside world, cutting the cable, and internet, trying to act as if the whole thing never happened. Shortly after that (2-3 months) the school went on lock down, once again no indication of what the problem was, and it being shortly after 9/11, everybody was hysterical. In this situation it ended up being a car hit a telephone pole and knocked out power.
Today I had my sister, who was scared to death, text me while I was in my dorm working, asking me what was going on. I had no idea, which got me worried.
My point is, Mt.Lebanon puts these kids on lock down with absolutely no indication of how severe the situation is. Now i know they want to keep the peace, but I personally feel that these kids need to know what is going on, even though it may suck, they need to be able to prepare themselves for what may or may not happen. VT is being scrutinized for how they handled this situation, and I think Mt.Lebanon should receive the same treatment. But thats just my opinion.
FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE---
This was not a fight it was an assault.
There is a huge difference!
ANON 6:30- Agreed, sometimes no information is more terrorizing than some information. The school should have in place as part of their emergency plan some kind of communication action. I agree that these poor kids were probably terrified. On the flip side I think it is unforgivable that the news of the student being taken to St. Clair was broadcast to all the HS families. The school district needs to find a happy medium when it comes to communicating in an emergency situation.
Sorry... got to disagree with those who think students should be given information DURING the lockdown. 1st, do you think students would be less panicked knowing there was a shooter on campus? I don't. 2nd, administrators certainly have their hands full protecting the students during this time, carefully crafting what to tell the students would be an unnecessary burden at a critical time.
I do not believe that HIPPA applies to law enforcement agencies.
"The fact that he was "302'd" is private and to announce that fact is a violation of the Hippa law. "
Yeah, but sometimes, like in this situation, or in the situation mentioned above with the car, the kids imagination could be more dangerous then the truth.
It does not matter if the disclosure of the "302" situation violates HIPPA law or not. To disclose that information to every parent of a high school student is completely INAPPROPRIATE.
Mt. Lebanon School District is completely negligent in violating this CHILD'S PRIVACY! Perhaps letters such as these should be read by the school district's lawyer before they are sent home.
As an aside, it seems this incident occurred as a result of bullying from another student. Where was the district in helping to protect this child from harrassment by another student? I will be praying for this child and his family. Mt. Lebanon School District should be praying that they are not taken to court for violating a child's privacy and failing to protect a child from harrassment.
Anon 10:59
I would love to know what constitutes bullying in your eyes.
Since you seem to know your facts--
This child was ASKED to leave the 4th floor cafeteria and wandered to the cafeteria where this "bullying" occured.
There, he was acting out and was asked, told, probably insulted into leaving the table---not the 1st time in the day or school year that this has happened.
He then proceded to throw an open bottled drink at the students telling him to leave. The "bully" probably had some unkind words at this point --went to the monitor and told him the situation.
The "bully" was then followed to his next class while being punched and did not physically retaliate-- just words---nasty words (know I would have). Next the "bully" was jumped on from behind, punched, scratched and BIT by this victim. A teacher had to pull the innocent victim off the "bully".
As the innocent victim ran from teachers & security he ranted about killing not just the "bully" but others.
The child who is now arrested and hospitalized, charged with assault and terroristic threats has had many, many incidents over the years. The "bully" to my knowledge has not.
Please tell me now who was the bully and who was the victim. Please tell me how much these children have to tolerate before being called a "bully."
If a child is known to have emotional problems and issues surface quite frequently, why is it not handled by the school staff and the parents of the child?
Are we to assume that because the other students are somewhat aware of the child's fragile emotional state, they are equipped to handle the child?
I know my child is not!
I agree that this was an invasion of the child's privacy. How could this information, made public, help?
To announce the 302 is innapropriate.
Law enforcement agencies do not have the right to violate a HIPPA law.
Am I crazy? Should I be 302'd?
We are so worried about the privacy of this child and not the safety of the other students, staff, faculty in the building?
Where are your priorities?
I don't think anyone has their priorities mixed up. The safety and well being of our children will always be primary. I'm sure no one will disagree. However, I think we all find it alarming that such personal and what should be confidential information was so easily released to the community. I also think we should be very careful when it comes to relaying "first hand" knowledge of an incident, this is how rumors begin.
As we have become accustomed to Mt. Lebanon School District trying to skim over the truth. (Dr. Sable, top 25, basketball players citationed.....
That,my friend, is how rumors get started.
The lock down was 13 minutes. Telling students could take longer.
Safety is my priority.
The school and police protected our children.
Thank you
immediate response by school and police appreciated. such a short time frame best was done by all.
I was surprised to read on the MtLPD blotter for April 19, 2007 at 2:15 pm Cochran Road that a 14 year old was arrested for possession of a weapon on school grounds.
...wonder what this was that all about? What kind of weapon? Were any students in threatened or in danger? If so, I sure would want to know.
Parents in Mt. Lebanon really need a wakeup call - Mt. Lebanon is not immune to troubled kids & bullies -- below is info taken from the April police blotter - 15 teenagers cited in just one month!
Washington Road—Three males, 13, 15 and 16, were arrested for theft from vehicles and criminal conspiracy; 04/04/07; 4:13 p.m.
Washington Road—A 16-year-old male was arrested for possession with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia;a 16-year-old male was arrested for public drunkenness, false reports and false identification to law enforcement; 04/10/07; 2:30 a.m.
Bower Hill Rd—A 14-year-old male was arrested for simple assault; 4/11/07; 7:07 p.m.
Washington Rd—Two males, 15 and 16, were arrested for theft and conspiracy; 04/11/07; 4:13 p.m.
Cochran Road — A 14-year-old male was arrested for possession of a weapon on school property; 04/19/07; 2:10 p.m.
Washington Road — An 18-year-old male was arrested for DUI, minor prohibited from operating with alcohol in system, furnishing liquor to minors; two females, 16 and 17, were cited for underage drinking; 04/22/07; 2:20 a.m.
Washington Road — A 16-year-old male was arrested for possession of marijuana; 04/23/07; 4:37 p.m.
Cochran Road — Two 15-year-old males made threatening comments to 16-year-old female; 04/23/07; 4:25 p.m.
District Justice Blaise Larotonda said somebody’s going to . . .
If that happens who will talk about HIPPA or telling kids what is going on?
We shouldn't presume that every single one of those minors are Mt. Lebanon residents.
Nevertheless, clearly it is taking place here and Lebo kids are involved. I hope the police blotter is raising awareness and I encourage everyone reading it to do the same.
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