Posted on 09/20/2006 5:14:15 AM PDT by Puppage
(New Haven-WTNH, Sept. 19, 2006 10:45 PM) _ A student's refusal to walk through a safety detector earns him a trip home.
For some the installation of metal detectors in schools is to better protect those inside.
One New Haven student is refusing to walk the walk, questioning whether his rights are being violated.
The district says it is like the right to enter a courtroom or get on a plane. It's new policy to keep young people safe.
For this New Haven student it's all about his fourth amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.
Nick Evans is getting a lesson in the legality of school policy.
The 16-year-old was sent home after refusing to walk through a metal detector and be searched as he entered Career High School.
"They haven't done this properly. There's not policy stating that I have to," says Evans.
The high school junior is challenging the New Haven District's recent decision to implement added security measures in the building last week.
"The handbook dictating district policy states they need reasonable grounds to search me."
No where in the handbook, he says, does it spell out anything about random searches or the use of metal detectors.
"I'd like to see them actually making this legal."
But a spokesperson for the District says the Superintendent has the right to make changes in what he considers to be emergency situations. The increased security comes after a violent summer in the Elm City and the deadly shootings of a 13-year old girl and boy.
"The Superintendent has the authority in the event of an emergency to enact directives and right here he believes it's important right now to expand what we are doing in terms of security for all students in the high school," says Susan Weisselberg, New Haven Public Schools.
The district admits it has no written policy on its latest measures but says that's about to change.
"We are adopting a formal policy. We will have the first reading by the Board of Ed Monday night," says Weisselberg.
For the schools, metal detectors and student searches are about keeping kids safe.
Nick Evans says he'll follow the policies as long as they are within the boundaries of the law.
"I would if it's a good sound legal policy. If they try to trample 4th amendments rights... ah getting shaky," says Evans.
Nick Evans says he will go to school tomorrow because he doesn't want to miss his classes, however he's plans to be vigilant in making sure the district follows through.
There is also no formal written policy for the use of metal detectors at Hill House or Wilbur Cross High School but the district says that will change too.
You need to reread the Constitution, although I'm not sure you'll understand it this time either.
Exactly. The school cannot make students take a drug test as a condition of showing up to your classes, as your attendance is required by law. They can only test students after probable cause, or as a condition to participating in optional activities, extracurriculars, etc.
Schools may have established the right to randomly search bookbags and lockers, but, IIRC, not to search your person, at least not without cause.
Forcing a student through a metal detector before they can attend class would seem to violate this principle.
Metal detectors are weapons used to protect the unarmed.
Then he'll just exercise Mr 2nd Amendment and be done with the kids.
If they wanted to keep young people safe they wouldn't have public schools.
We used to have metal detectors at our schools in the late 90s. The kids would still get guns in using lead boxes. I'm sure there are a hundred other ways of getting a gun past a security point.
I like that idea. All kids should come to school packing. If someone gets the wise idea of trying to use a gun on someone for no reason, he knows he'll be taken out quickly.
Really? Here on planet earth they merely detect the presence of a certain density of metals.
I got the "police state" line before when discussing my frustration at people who make conscious decisions about violating "minor" laws when they don't think that they'll get caught (traffic laws and such).
I'm not being coy, I'm just curious, what do you consider a police state to be?
Exactly. I wish we had something like that here on Planet Free Republic to detect the presence of a certain density of mentals.
Nick Evans -- professional dickhead
The reason for bringing guns to school these days have changed. It's no longer to hunt animals; it's to hunt Christians. Remember Columbine? Do you believe in God? Boom!
Um - yeah - ok...sure....
One word: prozac
Damn right! This stupid kid doesn't realize that the forth amendment was already repealed by the Bush administration.
It was about time too, it was a dumb amendment.
Now that we have gotten rid of the 1st, 2nd and 10th as well, let's get to work on the rest.
Damn right! I for one am happy that we have dog searches and piss tests. I want blood tests too.
Whine on you little loser punk puke.
Freakin pukes! What's a little piss when compared to living in a police state?
Calling this "public education" is a stretch.
Abolish public education government schools.
Damn right. We need to impeach Bush and cheny and install Hugo Chavez to show us how to run a country.
"Whine on you little loser punk puke."
--What a surprising comment, what happened to freedom and questioning authority?
I argee that he MIGHT be a punk, but maybe he is a furture patriot.
What about metal detectors set-up at the shopping malls, supermarkets, movie theaters, coffee shops, and a variety of other retailers surrounding your house. Sure it would be a hassle, but at least YOUR safety would be increased. See where that kind of intrusion could get under your skin?
I'm not calling you a bootlicker, but there are plenty of FReepers who are inclined to do virtually anything the government demands of them in the so-called pursuit of safety. We just don't live in a perfect world.
~ Blue Jays ~
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