More than one system has gone high tech, like the new I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, where cameras add extra eyes to a security force that has become a constant presence in so many schools, just like other public places. But school resource officers, work on prevention as well as apprehension. These are officers who really want to work with young people. It was a potential disaster nipped in the bud, by another student's tip. It shows us that kids are telling.
Kids are concerned.
A few years ago, Norfolk schools won a landmark court decision, defeating a Granby student who sued to block random searches of students. Since then, the battle against guns, at least, may have turned. A 13News investigation in 1993, found there were 23 guns seized in area schools. This year, that number has dropped to six, including the one seized in Hampton this week. And that has Maury students and parents breathing easier.