A private consultant company hired by the Department of Education has released a report on a Franklin High School melee that resulted in 12 arrests, five injured officers and one injured student.

A fight broke out on Oct. 23 shortly after a Franklin student tried to re-enter a school dance. In accordance with school policy, the police officer at the door did not let the student enter. The teen then pushed the officer sparking a melee. Backup units were called and officers used pepper spray to subdue the crowd, reports MyCentralJersey.com. Among those arrested were parents.

In a report released by Rush Educational Consultant Services, 17 recommendations were made to prevent a repeat situation.

The report calls for more in-depth planning and coordination for events, including emergency procedures, establishment of a clear line of authority for school events, and having school staff members at all entrances and exits instead of police officers. The report also suggested the school place re-entry policy signs at the door, and have the district work with the police department to work with officers trained in working with school-aged individuals, reports MyCentralJersey.com.

Additionally, the report called for floodlight installations in the back parking lot, cameras in the school’s halls, and a way to improve cell phone reception inside the building.

In conclusion, the 16-page report stated that no one action, reaction, plan or execution of a plan could have guaranteed the prevention of the incident.

For additional information, click here.

If you appreciated this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!

Related Content