People do bad things for all manner of reasons. This includes both for personal gain and to obtain a specific result. A Massachusetts teacher recently planted ammunition, which caused a school lockdown. And he supposedly did this to force better safety measures in the school.
Last Thursday, Alfred Purcell III reported that he found a 9mm round in a stairwell. This caused a lockdown of the Southbridge High School while officers conducted an investigation. However, when police reviewed the security footage, they determined that Purcell dropped the round about 10 minutes before he reported finding the ammunition.
“There was no kids that were injured, nobody was seriously impacted by this other than we went into a lockdown for an hour and we had to investigate a teacher who was doing things he shouldn’t be doing,” Southbridge Police Chief Shane Woodson, according to ABC News.
After officers arrested Purcell, he supposedly admitted to planting the 9mm round to convince school administrators to install metal detectors. Officers also found 102 20-gauge shotgun shells in Purcell’s trunk. They also said that Purcell’s concealed-carry permit had expired.
Regardless of Intentions, Massachusetts Teacher Committed a Crime
Purcell faces charges of unlawful possession of ammunition, carrying ammunition on school grounds, disturbing a school assembly, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace. School officials claim that Purcell’s contract will not be renewed, and he has been order to stay away from the school.
“This individual acted in a disgusting manner,” said Southbridge superintendent Jeffrey Villar. “I feel very badly for our students because it is an adult who failed them.”
Most people in the country, especially parents, have concerns over school safety that go beyond school shootings. In fact, many schools have drug and gang problems that cause much more havoc on a daily basis. School officials constantly search for better ways to protect students from both large and small incidents. Some states and schools have armed teachers or hired security officers, and conducted readiness drills. Florida recently passed a law allowing teachers to obtain training to carry guns on campuses. Others have gone different routes. Regardless, this incident shows what some people will do to implement what they believe are better safety initiatives.
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