Fights cause high school to be locked down

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Print

POUGHKEEPSIE – Shortly before 1:00 pm on Monday, two large fights broke out in Poughkeepsie High School which led to a heavy police response and the building being locked down.

Dr. Eric Rosser, Superintendent for the district said that he was in meetings all day and the “situation wasn’t serious enough to require me along with membership of the leadership team to address.”

Sources say that the fights were the result of a long-term disagreement between a few parties that had been slowly simmering prior to Monday’s fights, involving mostly female students.

Dr. Rosser and Police Captain Richard Wilson both released statements saying that the school was placed in lockdown but an afternoon press release from the school district says that it was merely a “hold-in-place” situation.  Captain Wilson said that “Numerous members of CPPD responded including patrol, traffic, detectives, and supervisors.  Arriving officers assisted school district security in restoring order within the area of the school’s offices.  Additionally, officers used mediation, as well as crisis intervention techniques to the extent participants, were willing.”  Captain Wilson indicated that the lockdown was released shortly after 2:00 pm and his department’s investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Longtime district educator David Laffin was at the high school yesterday when the mayhem erupted and expressed his frustration later in the day.  “Every single adult in this district cares about the safety and security of the students and the staff. That’s what makes moments like today’s fighting so sad and disheartening.”  When asked about the overall climate in the building, Laffin said “The saddest thing is the majority of the students at the high school truly want to just go to class and learn and then get on with their lives but there’s a small percentage of students that are essentially keeping the rest from fully experiencing the best education.”  Laffin added that he thinks 90% of the student body at the school tries to do the right thing both in and out of the classroom but “10% are taking up everybody’s time with their drama, nonsense, and some serious emotional issues.  It’s a shame because there’s some good stuff happening here.”  Asked about the potential for change, Laffin responded with “I’m still hopeful for the future.”




Popular Stories