Letter to the Citizen

Dear Citizen,

I am submitting this letter in regards to something that has bothered me since the morning of January 9^th. I am a member of a local group on Facebook called “Peachtree City Moms”. Fifteen minutes until noon on that Friday, a local Peachtree City mom posted, “The bullets found at McIntosh today make me feel unsettled. Anyone check their child out early?” 

There were 35 comments under the post. I clicked to view the comments. The comments consisted of a mixture of fear, concern, frustration, information, and questions. It was obvious, from the comments, that some parents of McIntosh High School (MHS) children were hearing about this incident for the first time via a Facebook group post. Others, on the other hand, had heard the news from their children via text around 9:30am—over an hour before an email was sent out to MHS families. The email was sent out at 10:58am by MHS Principal, Mrs. Hammock.

Included in the comments were several screenshots provided by other members on the Facebook group. Please see Screenshot 1 below. 

I read that police were on campus shortly after the two bullets were found, but based on the above screenshot, I am sure I speak for others when I say, nothing about that e-mail reassures me that proper protocol was taken. The school resource officer and school administrators immediately responded by conducting a thorough search of the restroom and surrounding area and confirmed that no firearm was found? As a Behavioral Health Epidemiologist employed by the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), I see and hear a lot of horror stories. In most instances, where there is ammo, there is a weapon. If the thorough search only included the bathroom and “surrounding area,” there was a lot of uncharted territory. Correct response can prevent a mass-casualty event. 

Was every backpack and locker thoroughly searched? Did any individual on campus receive a full-body search? Admittedly, I do not know the answers to those questions, but if the answer to those questions is “no,” the way in which this incident was handled brings much concern. If there is one thing I have learned in my five years with the DJJ, it is that weakness in response and/or defense provides perpetrators with incentive to follow through with acts that have permanent consequences. 

Why was there not a lockdown? Although there is no single automatic rule that when ammo is found on a school campus, a lockdown must be triggered; typically, lockdowns are considered in instances when there is a credible threat or evidence suggesting intent. 

Please see Screenshot 2 below:

I whole-heartedly believe that the safety and well-being of the school community is of high priority. Although Fayette County—and especially the city of Peachtree City—is generally considered one of the safer counties in the state, when an incident like this occurs, we need to act decisively to prevent tragedy. 

I want McIntosh High School and Peachtree City to be known for the exceptional students it produces; not for a mass-casualty event such as what was seen at Columbine High School and Sandy Hook Elementary. 

If it were bomb-making supplies found in the bathroom that morning, would the response have been the same?

Sincerely,

Whitney Clifton, Ph.D.