CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) will now be conducting random searches as part of its safety protocols.
The school district made the announcement in a release on Tuesday stating that the Clayton County Public Schools Division of Safety and Security is partnering with various law enforcement agencies to start random searches at various locations this week. These searches may include K-9 dogs at only middle and high school levels.
CCPS Superintendent Dr. Anthony Smith said it's important to remind families and communities that everyone plays a critical role in supporting the district's efforts to keep campuses free of weapons, violence, drugs, bullies and gangs.
"Recent events throughout metro Atlanta have caused our district leadership to re-focus on the need for our students to be responsible for their behavior," Smith said. "Working together, we can ensure that our students have the opportunity for the successful future they deserve and, in all honesty, should expect from Clayton County Public Schools."
The news of random searches comes after shootings in other metro Atlanta school districts that occurred in February.
In February, there have been at least three different shootings at or near school campuses in metro Atlanta. On Feb. 1, two non-students were shot in the parking lot at McEachern High School in Cobb County. Then, on Feb. 9, 10th grader Mario Bailey was shot and killed after a basketball game at Tri-Cities High School in Fulton County. And finally, on Feb. 14, four students were hurt after a drive-by shooting in the parking lot of Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta.
In general, Clayton County Public Schools said this collaborative effort is to secure a culture of safety in schools as each campus moves through the second semester and inches closer to the end of the school year. The school district has also recently collaborated with police and other officials to hold a gun safety awareness forum earlier in February.