Armed Police Storm High School in Drug Raid, Find No Drugs
 

http://www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2150808

In case you care:

Stratford High (9-12)
951 Crowfield Blvd.
Goose Creek, SC 29445
George McCrackin, Principal
843-820-4000
http://www.berkeley.k12.sc.us/HIGH/SHS/Adm/Adm.htm

Goose Creek Police Department

Chief Harvey Becker

Captain Yvonne Turner (AM)

PO Drawer 1768

Goose Creek, SC, 29445

Office (843) 863-5200 ext 308

Fax (843) 863-5203


http://www.musc.edu/scpac/goosecreekpd.htm
(The Power of Google)

I'm not sure if you need probable cause to look through people's stuff in a school. I don't think they'll have any luck arguing that they had probable cause because they were in a school.

Fighting terrorism is one thing. The "war" on drugs is totally another. I hope police can distinguish between the two.

I saw the video of this last night and it was very disturbing. Even more so when I found out there was no just cause for this "raid". The parents have every right to be outraged - using a scare tactic like this in schools usually has the opposite effect. I've got money saying that these kids will now be doing massive amounts of drugs - I know I would be after something like that.

It is sad what our school system is coming to.

EDITED for bad grammar :)

we had drug raids at migh high school, however they werent that severe. My senior year we got a new principle because the other one was told to either do something about the drug problem or be fired, so she quit, and a new one was hired.

The drug "raids" if you will were never planned obviously, teachers didnt even know about it (teachers were searched like the students were). The first half of the raid the school went into lock down. All exits to the school were guarded by cops, and everyone was locked in classrooms. While this was going on, dogs were sniffing lockers. Then the next phase came, all students werent allowed back into their lockers but were all escorted to the gym where things were explained. All purses, jackets, and bookbags were not allowed to leave the classrooms, hence dogs came around and sniffed those out too. While in the gym, students were told it was a raid, all exits were guarded by police, and if anyone had anythign on them(drugs or weapons) to put them in the box next to the door leading back into the school. They were told if they did this they wouldnt be in trouble, however if they didnt and the dog did find drugs on them charges would be filed. As I walked past the dog i looked in the box just to see, there were things in there, but i dont know if students before me had put stuff in there, or if the cops put stuff in there to get it started. Rumor has it after everyone left the gym, the areas under the bleachers were sweeped, and lots of drugs were found. Also a couple of student did try to escape the school, but were caught by cops and arrested. One guy that tried to escape had over 20 hits of acid on him.

My high school obviously had just cause for the raids. Though Goose Creek's is rather severe, I'm for it. Kids that do drugs will probably continue to do them, but maybe they will atleast keep them out of school, or think twice before bringing them to school. The drug war as well as the D.A.R.E. programs are a joke, and I personally believe more should be done. I think raids are a good start. I know this may be an unpopular opinion, but I'm not sorry about that.

This certainly does not look good... I can just imagine some wag tracking in the old Nazi party anthem Horst Wessel Lied (Horst Wessel's Song) to the raid tape:

Die Fahne hoch, die Reihen fest geschlossen
SA marschiert mit ruhig, festern Schritt
Kam'raden die Rotfront und Reaktion erschossen
Marschiert in Geist, in unsern Reihen mit!

translation:

Raise high the flag, the ranks are closed and tight,
Storm Troopers march, with firm and steady step.
Souls of the comrades shot by Reds and Countermight
Are in our ranks, and march along in step.

I am for strong enforcement against drugs in schools, but I think the execution of the raid was a little heavy-handed. There are better ways to handle a drug search.

Well unfortunately, with the Patriot Act, people's rights all across the board are more so limited than they were 3 years ago. I think people tend to neglect the fact that some pothead 15 year old isn't too likely to go around being a threat to national security. I'm all about fighting terrorism, but when it comes down to things like this, I find it ridiculous and strangely Big Brother-ish.

I just found out why Marijua was made illegal in the 1930s.

What are we saying?

We want to keep drugs out of the physical school?

OR do we want to keep students from having drugs at school?

Or do we want to keep students from doing drugs at all?

I get so confused by statements like: Lets keep drugs out of schools.

I can see where some of my statements werent so clear.

Drugs shouldnt be at school inside or in the parking lots (they looking through windows as cars and a few cars were searched as well but i forgot to post that). Drugs shouldnt be done by anyone at anytime, anywhere. However this gets into a bigger debate for another thread as parents not doing their jobs, parental responsibility, not setting limits, checking up, etc. As well as the problems at my own high school......instead of expelling students who were caught with drugs, most of which were under 18, no one tried to help them, not the parents or the school, this also involves another thread.

Some of these tactics seem a bit extreme to me.

Just a bit? More like completely extreme. I know that if I were at school and this had happened to me I would have p*ssed on myself. No doubt. Granted I have never ever done drugs. Nor will I. But, I honestly feel like your "lighter" drugs (i.e. marijuana) should be legalized and regulated, similar to tobacco and alcohol. I also think kids have no business doing stuff like this, legal or not. But I don't condone busting in commando style and scaring them to death. The ones who are going to do it will do it regardless of any scare tactics. Conversely, those who don't plan on doing it will just be scarred for life. We occasionally had drug dog sniffs in my high school. Never a big deal.

Well, ThetaPrincess, I gues I'll be the only one to agree with you! This instance may have been a bit over-the-top, however, I wasn't there and I've never heard of this school, so I don't know what really happened...oh nobody else does either!

Anyways, my high school also did something very similar, although it was while my little brother was a senior in 1998. They had undercover police, and had a raid that resulted in over twelve arrests (I went to a HUGE Texas high school) for possession and dealing of heroin among other drugs. James mentioned that he wasn't sure about some of your statements. I'd like to remind people that this IS a public school, and random locker searches and the like are NOT against the law if the good of the school is at stake. It's quite obvious by many kids (because that IS what they are) getting out of hand, and it's also obvious that the parents are doing enough about it. The parents fighting these battles are most likely the ones who don't know what their kids are doing when they aren't around! Teachers and administrations can't do the child-rearing here. They can do what is within their power, which it seems to me like they did.

Now, for swissmiss, you said that you would have pissed yourself? If you have nothing to hide, then why do you care? I would have been freaked out only because I didn't know what was going on...plus I've seen Toy Soldiers too many times. But, the thought of that happening again would have scared me enough to not even attempt to bring any illegal substances to school! I'm thinking that may have been the goal here too.

Sorry, this is so long...just my opinion!

aj

All drugs should be legal, that will make people stop using them. Because, it won't be as cool because you're not breaking the law.

That is true. If you have nothing to hide maybe you shouldn't care.

If we continue on that logic we shouldn't be concerned if police want to search your car. Or your home. Or your personal self and possessions. If you are not doing anythin ilegal then no worries right?

In fact, wouldn't it be a little suspicious that you might be resistant to a search? Isn't that an indicator of potential guilt?

I have definitely heard law enforcement use this rationalization. Is this basically what you and others are saying?

I'm gonna guess..... Plano Sr High? AKA the Pharmacy?

Kitso
KS 361

Law enforcement officials can "rationalize" all they want, but I would protest any routine search based on principle and the 4th amendment. Then again, who gives a damn about the bill of rights, especially when it comes to current drug law/policy. The innocent have no obligation to prove their innocence by allowing a search. Of course, the there is little 4th amendment protection for these students.

I know that police are allowed to search lockers without probable cause if the school says it's okay, since those belong to the school and not technically to the students. But I didn't realize that they're also allowed to search backpacks and purses, which is kind of frightening.

I agree that this isn't going to deter anyone -- they're just going to keep the drugs in their cars, or instead of smoking up at school they're going to leave school and do it elsewhere, which sort of defeats the purpose.

No matter what the probable cause (if any), the way this was handled was totally out of line.

This has nothing to do with the Patriot Act -- they were looking for drugs, not terrorists.

Police officers should draw their wepons only when confronted with opposing wepons, or if they are sure there are known felons inside -- or some equally dangerous situation. Going into a crowd like that with pistols drawn is reckless.

I suspect that city, police department, school system and principal will be facing lawsuits for a long time to come.

They deserve it.

It's damned fortunate that nobody was hurt.

It is so interesting that this happed this week when the Constitutional Rights Foundation chose this topic as their Mock Trial topic this year. The CRF does a mock trial competition for high school students nationally and the competition is going on right now. Last Tuesday night I judged the first round in the competition. The law in this area is very interesting. The students do have a right to privacy and a right to be free from illegal searches and seizures but the question is whether the police had probable cause to search the way they did. It seems from the information available in the media that the tactics used were quite extreme. I am not a big fan of scare tactics of this sort and doubt any court out here would be.

LD

Unfortunat the Patriot Act have been used by the government for cases that has nothing to do with terrorism.

It was actually Plano East! LOL! That's really scary that you know that!

And, James, we are talking about students here...UNDER AGE minors, who for the most part, can't even buy a lottery ticket or cigarettes legally! Furthermore, this was a public school, owned by the people! There had to be some level of cooperation with the administration before the raid occurred. Your idea, with some merit, is not even in the same league with what this thread is referring to. This is a whole different sector of society, and took place in a public building. I'm not some pro-nazi government lover, but it seems that things have only continued to go down hill. I like to think that somebody is doing something about it!

aj

For the non-locals knowledge:

PESH (what the locals call Plano East Senior High) and Plano were somewhat notorious in the early 90s for their drug problems, hence the 'Pharmacy' nickname.

Now there is a third high school in Plano - Plano West Senior High (aka the 'Willow Bend Private School', as some wags have already started calling it).

And yes, they still 'mark territory' during football season! (Almost any light pole within the city limits of Plano is fair game and marked with small signs or ribbons in the respective school colors: black and gold for PESH, maroon and white for Plano, blue and white for Plano West.)

Lol,

Well, i had a couple buddies at A&M that were from Dallas. 2 from Plano, a couple from Highland Park, couple from Lake Highlands and a pledge brother from Mesquite.

So, i'd heard Plano referred to as the pharmacy a lot. :)

Kitso
KS 361

LMAO! That is so true about the football stuff, we are serious about it! The MAJOR drug stuff...the bust I was referring to...was actually in 1998, the year my brother graduated. I graduated in 1995, and I don't remember any major stuff happening...and I was the principal's 'aide'. That was the same year that Plano East made the biggest comeback in High School Footbal History during the playoff game...only to loose to a major kick return. Sorry, got off the subject there...just call me 'High School Harry'.

aj

Even though the search was a little extreme, SC is known for the behavior problems of students in classroom, drugs, gangs, etc. We are one of the few states that still has corporal punishment to deal with behavior problems that have just gotten out of control. With all of the incidences of students bringing guns to school that do not make the headlines, I would feel better having the police raid my school as a student than to risk getting shot over some drug deal gone horribly wrong. Now that I am on the other end teaching, I am grateful for the random locker searches, metal detectors, and the implementation of uniforms.

It's not the search that's the problem in my mind. That has happened at a number of our local high schools here in the Denver area.

My problem is the Police charging into the school with drawn wepons.

I have a great respect for law enforcement, but that's reckless.

I can see how this can be extreme, but it does work. My high school had a huge drug problem for years. There were always undercover agents posing as high schoolers to try and buy drugs or weapons from other students on campus. I remember when I was in high school I felt very betrayed because one was a "friend" of mine and it ended up being a fake. BUT, they always ended up with lots of arrests. We also had tons of locker raids, dog sniffers and even backback raids. Over the years the problem of drugs on campus has gone down. Some do get scared because they don't want to get caught and of course there will always be those that don't and will.

For my high school I think it worked. I know that they still do these also. In fact they just had another under cover agent catch some last week.

I went to high school at Goose Creek. Scary huh?

... yet another example of why it pays to do your homework ahead of time. :rolleyes: