New York City: random searches for public school students

Despite the fact that major crime has declined in city schools over the past year, neither students nor school staff will have warning before being scanned, though the city will honor legal obligations by posting the new policy on school buildings. The authorities will not only confiscate guns and knives but also other prohibited items, including cell-phones. Currently 82 of the city’s public schools have permanent metal detectors installed, through which more than 100, 000 students pass on their way to classes.

On April 12, five students were arrested outside of John Jay High School in Brooklyn during a walkout of over 200 against a stricter metal detector scanning policy that had resulted in the seizure of cell phones from about 80 students. According to press reports, a number of these students were manhandled and bruised by the police.

One student, Jaditza Lopez, 14, who had a large bruise on her left arm, told the New York Daily News, “They threw me on the ground because they thought I was protesting.” Lopez spent the night in jail. Another student, Maurice Reid, 16, was arrested and charged with kicking a cop. According to Reid, “She pushed me and I tried to get past her so she clubbed me.” A witness told the News, “We were yelling at the cops to let go of the boy. He must have bruises on his legs where they hit him. I feel bad for this student. In this situation, he did nothing wrong.”

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http://wsws.org/articles/2006/apr2006/nyci-a19.shtml