— In North Carolina, the Court of Appeals of North Carolina affirmed the adjudication of a juvenile for the extortion of a classmate. The misconduct involved obtaining favors from a fellow student through the threat of revealing partially nude images to others. The court ruled that, “the definition of extortion in (state law) covers any threat made with the intention to wrongfully obtain anything of value or any acquittance, advantage, or immunity…(and is not limited) to threats of physical violence.” The court ruled that the extortion was not protected speech. “There is no federal or North Carolina state constitutional rule that threats are protected speech unless they threaten unlawful physical violence.” Matter of J.A.D.,
— In Virginia, the Alexandria City School Board is creating an advisory group for school safety. The School Law Enforcement Partnership Advisory Group (SLEP) will review and propose changes to the district’s partnership with the police department. The school board had previously removed police officers from the schools but returned the officers to their campuses as violent incidents increased. (The announcement is here)
— In New York, the Schenectady City Schools Board approved an agreement to hire six full-time city police officers during school hours, following a months-long pilot program. The Board of Education approved the contract 4 to 3 after weeks of discussion and controversy.
— In Washington State, a rise in gang activity and violence has prompted both the Wenatchee and Eastmont school districts to enforce a list of prohibited symbols and clothing in school determined to be gang-related. The new policy went into effect immediately for all grades. (List is here)