Heightened law enforcement at Berkeley High this week following fights on Friday - ABC NEWS 4

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — Additional law enforcement was at Berkeley High School on Monday and is expected throughout the week.

In a letter to parents, school officials said "the promotion of violence, threats and engagement in altercations will not be tolerated by school or district leadership."

They added that school safety is top priority.

This comes after three student fights and a report of a person near campus with a weapon sent the school into lockdown on Friday.

Just this year, officials say a dozen school fights have broken out at Berkeley High School, but BCSD officials say it's nothing new.

"Unfortunately, it's not abnormal, we do see student altercations happen," said district spokesperson Katie Tanner.

What's different is it's not as many one-on-one fights. That's why some school resource officers call in back up.

"When there is a multi-student fight an SRO is going to need additional assistance just because of the number, then they're going to call for it," said Tanner.

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When asked why there are so many fights, officials say the theme is common: social media.

The district is now taking steps to ensure student safety.

"We are continuing to have a presence of adults in the hallways making sure students are moving and then addressing the issue once is happens," said Tanner.

Parents are calling on the district for more transparency when a fight breaks out.

"A lot of what they send out is kind of generic," said John. He's the parent of two Berkeley High students.

"As far as transparency, we are maxed out on communication alerts," Tanner said.

The district is now calling on parents to step in too.

"Part of the principal's message to parents was to assist the administration in monitoring social media," Tanner said.

source: https://abcnews4.com/news/local/heightened-law-enforcement-at-berkeley-high-this-week-following-fights-on-friday-wciv

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