Safety Law News for October 15, 2021

— In South Carolina, the United States District Court ruled that the “Disturbing Schools” statute was unconstitutionally vague as applied to elementary and secondary school students in the state.  The provisions of the law criminalized, in part, a person who gathers on campus, “in a grossly intoxicated condition or otherwise conducting himself in a disorderly or boisterous manner.” Section 16-17-530.  The court held that many of the behaviors criminalized by the law are behavioral issues under school codes of conduct rather than criminal acts.  Therefore, the law was unconstitutional because of the absence of objective criteria resulted in discriminatory enforcement in the schools.  Kenny v. Wilson

— In Virginia,  the Alexandria City Council reinstated the school resource officer program, granting the demands of teachers, administrators, and parents to quell campus violence.  One school administrator told the City Council, “(o)ur students are sending us warning shots, literally warning shots… My staff, my students. We’re not okay.”

— In North Carolina, officials in Onslow County are considering installing metal detectors at all school entrances after two school shootings in the state this school year.

— In Wisconsin, educators in Madison have created the Office of School Safety to coordinate a critical response team of school psychologists, social workers, teachers and administrators.  The school resource officer program was eliminated in 2020.  The new program is combining student safety and emotional health.