MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee school officials have decided to ban cell phones from the district’s 217 campuses.
The ban, which went into effect Jan. 29, is in response to several incidents where the devices were used to summon others to fights.
The most recent disturbance occurred earlier this month when Bradley Tech High School girls who were fighting called about 20 family members and other adults, asking them to join in. As a result, a serious brawl took place in front of the school. Three adults and six students were arrested.According to TwinCities.com, dozens of similar fights have occurred during the past three years in the district.
Other large cities, such as New York City, Los Angeles and Boston have enacted similar bans. Many school officials believe that mobile phones, in addition to making violent situations worse, create distractions, and are used by students to cheat and deal drugs.
Others, however, see the ban as a potential security hazard. Last summer, parent organizations across New York City sued the Department of Education to overturn it.
