Steep drop-off in law enforcement action on Jacksonville school fights

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Last school year, Duval County Public Schools reported Northwestern Middle School had the most fights on campus.

The district told the Florida Department of Education there were 195 fights and 62 physical attacks at Northwestern Middle that school year.

There was no law enforcement action taken on any of them.

On Jan. 16, the campus was on code yellow after a series of fights. 

Last month, students spoke out about more than two dozen fights that have broken out at Ed White High School this school year.

RELATED: Parents afraid to send their children to Jacksonville school due to recent fights

“It's very violent. That's why I usually just keep to myself and my small group of friends,” said Ed White High School junior Ian Flores on March 7. 

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“I’ve seen a lot of kids get rowdy. I’ve even seen a lot of kids get upset with the teachers and want to put their hands on the teachers,” said former Ed White High School student Patrick Gibson on March 13.

When fights break out, DCPS data show law enforcement, which includes school police and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, is taking action a lot less often.

Look at these numbers DCPS reported to the Florida Department of Education:

2015-16 School Year:
Fights: 4,774 
Law enforcement action on fights: 81
Physical attacks: 6,204 
Law enforcement action on physical attacks: 55

2016-17 School Year:
Fights: 4,315 
Law enforcement action on fights: 9 
Physical attacks: 6,117
Law enforcement action on physical attacks: 32

2017-2018 School Year: 
Fights: 3,834
Law enforcement action on fights: 2
Physical attacks: 4,486
Law enforcement action on physical attacks: 0

Out of 3,834 fights last school year, law enforcement took action on two.

There was zero law enforcement action on 4,486 physical attacks last school year.

That’s a steep drop-off from just two years before, when law enforcement got involved with 81 fights and 55 physical attacks.

Police union President Steve Zona told Action News Jax that Duval County school police resource officers are being pressured not to make arrests.

“They’re terrified to come forward and talk about this, but it’s an artificial suppression of the numbers and the crime. They have to actually ask permission to make an arrest in the schools, through the rank of a lieutenant or higher, sometimes,” said Zona.

Action News Jax asked Dr. Diana Greene, who took over as DCPS superintendent this school year, to explain the drop-off in law enforcement action.

“I was not the superintendent during those years. I would need more of an opportunity to investigate why there was a change. It could be a processing or a coding issue,” said Greene. “If behavior reaches the level of consequences, we are going to ensure those consequences are applied.”

Just because law enforcement didn’t take action on a fight, like writing a report or making an arrest, that doesn’t mean law enforcement didn’t show up.

School districts do not report incidents of law enforcement simply responding, being notified or being consulted to the Florida Department of Education.