Worries over school safety have Eufaula police being much more active on campus. Sweeps for guns and drugs happening on all campuses.
The increased number of surprise sweeps means more students arrested, mostly, so far, for weed, not weapons.
The police sweeps at Eufaula schools net thirteen arrests for drug possession.
A Eufaula high school student busted Wednesday for bringing marijuana to school.
No guns found so far and police say that’s good news. But, want everyone to know, more sweeps are on the way, and any illegal firearms or drugs on campus, will be discovered.
“We want the school to be a learning environment and parents and students expect to be safe so that’s what we want,” said Chief Steve Watkins with the Eufaula Police Department.
The school system said it’s glad to welcome police and search dogs on campus.
“We just want to ensure we do all we can to keep a drug free, weapon free environment,” said Eufaula City Schools Asst. Superintendent John Beasley.
The teams use four dogs on loan from the Department of Corrections. The K-9’s sniff for drugs, explosives, and firearms. The random checks search students bags, lockers and cars.
“We want the public to know we are doing our job and people are more aware of it now,” said Chief Watkins.
Eufaula’s school system employs one school resource officer and hopes to add another, something parents like.
“I think adding a resource officer will be great because it will cut down on some of the problems, but also it will let the teachers focus more on teaching, than disciplining. I think right now it’s been put on teachers and administrators, so it will be better to shift that burden,” said Eufaula Middle School Parent, Corey Kirkland.
The students arrested for drugs face a class three offense which could mean suspension or expulsion, and time in the alternative learning center.
Those students have yet to go before the school board for punishment.