D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) officials where unable diffuse a gang fight that broke out on its Ballou High School campus on Oct. 7 because of its lack of security officers.
Last week, district officials fired nearly 400 employees in an effort to cut costs, according to The Washington Times. The decision came shortly after the district’s private security company, Hawk One Security Inc., announced its $4.5 million debt to the IRS. The security company has blamed the school system’s late payments for their financial issues.
A few days prior, an unspecified number of the company’s 300 school security officers failed to report for work, leaving school officials to scramble for a replacement agency, according to the news report.
DCPS officials were forced to call local police to help break up the gang feud. Nearly a dozen students were arrested during the melee and were taken to the Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services for booking.
Officials tried to restore order at the school and respond to parents who were angry about security conditions at the school, according to the Times.
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