School Officials, Police React to Guns Found on Campus

(TNS) – The Puyallup School District hosted a virtual gun safety and community forum Tuesday night after four students were expelled within a month for allegedly bringing a gun to campus.

School district officials and law enforcement took turns explaining the district’s safety and security protocols for about 30 minutes in the online meeting. After that they answered questions from the community for another 30 minutes.

The News Tribune reported Nov. 9 that Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies arrested an Emerald Ridge High School student after he allegedly brought a gun to campus.

On Nov. 2 Puyallup Police officers arrested a Puyallup High School student after he allegedly brought a handgun to school.

In October a student allegedly brought a gun to Ballou Junior High and another student allegedly brought a gun to Glacier View Junior High.

Puyallup School District spokesperson Sarah Gillispie told The News Tribune Nov. 9 that “there was no intent to harm or cause violence” in any of the four cases.

Superintendent John Polm said during the forum that the school district’s reporting system is working, as two of the four cases were reported by students.

Puyallup Deputy Police Chief Dave McDonald said during the forum that there is no connection between the four cases, and that the timing is coincidental.

“We are at a time where juvenile crime is on the rise,” McDonald said.

Polm said during the forum that the school district’s new strategies to address school safety include promoting the tip reporting system, gun safety and mental health support.

Gus Wessel, the school district’s director of safety, security and risk management, said during the forum that students and staff routinely undergo fire alarm, active shooter, modified lockdown and lockdown drills.

School staff are also trained to respond to different types of emergencies, Wessel said. The school district locks its doors, has many security cameras and has six school resource officers.

Law enforcement, school staff and mental health professionals come into play when the school district receives a report. The district’s communications department also issues alerts and follow-up information to families if necessary, Gillispie said during the forum.

A forum attendee asked how the school district allocates resources for safety and security. Polm said the school board approves the district’s budget, and that money is invested in things such as entry vestibules and security cameras, among other things.

Another forum attendee asked if metal detectors would ever become an option to prevent guns and other weapons from entering school grounds. Polm said “absolutely nothing is off the table.” However, there may be challenges to that, such as that school portables can offer different points of entry, he said.

A forum attendee also asked what the school district offers for those who may be anxious about returning to school after a traumatic event. Polm said students have access to counseling services, and staff have an employee assistance program.

Pierce County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Sgt. Darren Moss Jr . told The News Tribune Nov. 9 that children are either stealing guns or taking guns from their homes. Those who own guns should lock them up, and guns shouldn’t be left in a car, he said.

The school district has a SafeSchools Alert incident reporting system online at puyallupsd.org/about-us/departments/communications/report-it.

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