Posted on 10/10/2010 11:28:14 AM PDT by Palladin
Unruly Dance Crowd Gets Pepper-sprayed after Array of Fights
October 10, 2010 - By PHILIP A. HOLMES - pholmes@sungazette.com
As a homecoming dance was letting out at the Williamsport Area High School late Friday night, hundreds of students began fighting, creating riot conditions that took nearly an hour for city police and other officers to bring under control.
"We were overwhelmed. That's the best way to put it," Lt. Tim Miller, the patrol supervisor in charge of the scene, said.
"We were called there for a large disturbance. While en route, we received several calls from school officials there who were screaming for help," Miller said.
As they began to arrive at the school at 2990 W. Fourth St. about 10:30 p.m., officers were faced with an out-of-control mob of students who were punching and kicking one another, Miller aid.
"When we got there, we observed hundreds of kids rioting outside. I never made it inside, but I was told that there were kids also fighting inside," Miller said.
It was unknown what sparked the angry outbursts, but police said that it apparently began inside at the dance and became explosive as staff members opened the doors and pushed those involved outside.
Mutual aid was immediately needed from all surrounding police departments because when the five on-duty city officers arrived at the school, they were clearly outnumbered and overpowered, police said.
"There were several fights all going on at one time, each of them had their own group of bystanders who were encouraging the fighting," Miller said adding that the bystanders failed to comply with orders to disperse.
At one point, an officer trying to separate two girls who were fighting with one another suddenly felt threatened by two men who began to circle him. A second officer, seeing that his colleague was in trouble, came to his aid, police said.
Miller termed the unruly behavior "contagious."
Although the assaults and the crowd's behavior reached the level of misdemeanor and possible felonies, no one was taken into custody.
"We didn't have enough officers. I couldn't take anyone in custody because I would have needed a 100 cops to do that," Miller admitted.
"I'd have to estimate 300 to 500 kids (were involved). We started trying to break up the fights, but there were too many kids and not enough of us," he said.
"There were people who should have been arrested, but we could not take them into custody because our safety would have been jeopardized," Miller added.
Pepper spray was needed to disperse some of the crowds. One female student was taken by ambulance to the hospital to be treated for her reaction from the spray. There were no other reports of injuries.
By 11:30 p.m., police were able to get most of the crowd dispersed. "They left in all directions," Miller said.
"I believe some students will be charged at a later date. We do have the identities of some of those involved. The investigation is ongoing, and will be handled by the school's resource officer."
Homecoming dances sure have changed since I was a youngster!
Homecomers Gone Wild!
We have a police force straight out of Mayberry.
Yeah, our homecoming dance was canceled due to threats of riots. Ah, the early 70’s...what a time!
This is just the beginning.
Oh, so this is trending now? Do they plan it on Twitter? or Facebook?
What gets me is the number of kids standing around, cheering on the ruffians. Are there no good kids anymore?
What would you expect them to do? Intervene and then get sued? After a life of indoctrination to "tell teacher" when someone bothers you I suspect they were all looking for a teacher to tell.
Our police department is woefully undermanned.
I guess we cannot count on the police to defend us if this type of rioting becomes an everyday thing.
There are some. Many of them are homeschooled so they were not at the dance.
The teachers were probably all locked inside a “Safe Room.”
Excellent point.
If anyone ever needed more reasons to homeschool...
...black vs white?
Well, 0bama did tell his supporters to “Get in their faces”, and that it would be hand to hand combat if his side loses elections.
The kids are just following their messiah’s orders.
I wouldn’t know about it becoming a trend. I was making the point that this kind of stuff was fairly common in the 60’s and 70’s and is hardly a new phenomenon. A bad phenomenon, yes.
Just dont allow them to have dances etc...
The school belongs to the taxpayers...
Why should the taxpayers have to pay for repairs etc to the school ???
Well, I was just 'snarking'...
........ But then, 0bama himself is a result of a massive failure of civilization, and his rhetoric is often exhorting other people to be combative for him.
So, while I'd be surprised if the school fight was actually about him or his policies, his attitude makes the weak minded think it is just fine to hurt people with whom you disagree.
I must have led a sheltered life....there was none of that where I lived...and I lived in a big city.
I don’t agree with the idea that “Kids will be kids...it’s been going on forever...etc.”
There may have been threats back in the day, but they were rarely carried out.
Seems that way, from first reports.
Another Homecoming incident, in State College, home of Penn State:
http://www.centredaily.com/2010/10/10/2262509/men-fight-for-lives-after-stabbings.html
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