But now, more and more students are stepping forward by reporting the threats and turning in their peers. In our area this month alone, more than a half-dozen teenagers have been arrested for violent plots, or for bringing guns to school. But none of the potential tragedies have played out, because vigilant parents and brave students have stepped in.
Experts say that the culture of fear in our classrooms is changing.
This is saving lives. Just Wednesday, there were two incidents where local students were arrested for bringing weapons to school. At South Oldham High School, Chaz Day learned that someone had hidden a gun in a garbage can in the gymnasium, and immediately went to the school's resource officer. I figured as soon as I got the resource officer, he'd take care of things right away. School resource officer Ted Spegal found an unloaded semi-automatic handgun, and two students were later arrested.