Montgomery County officials are urging students to use social media responsibly following a series of arrests related to online threats made towards local schools. The recent incidents involved the arrests of three students, aged 11 and 13, for allegedly making “terroristic threats” through their social media posts.
Melvin Brown, the superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools, emphasized the importance of students thinking carefully before posting online and highlighted the potential long-term consequences of making threats. Brown emphasized that while social media can be a powerful tool, it can also be a dangerous place to make dangerous decisions. He urged students to understand the impact of their online behavior and adhere to the school district’s social media policy.
In addition, Brown called on parents to play an active role in promoting online safety by familiarizing themselves with the student handbook and code of conduct available on the Montgomery Public Schools website. This call to action comes in the wake of a school shooting in Georgia that tragically resulted in the loss of four lives.
During a news conference, James Graboys, the interim chief of the Montgomery Police Department, outlined the police department’s response to online threats, emphasizing that strict action will be taken against those who make threats, whether online or in person. Graboys warned that individuals who engage in such behavior should expect an aggressive and thorough investigation, which may involve speaking to everyone in their residence.
Daryl Bailey, the Montgomery County district attorney, stressed that the effects of making threats online extend beyond the immediate students involved. He pledged to hold parents accountable if any evidence is found that they were responsible for the threats or neglected their children’s behavior. Bailey made it clear that parents could face legal consequences in adult court if they were found to have encouraged or participated in their children’s actions.
Investigations into similar threats are currently underway in Autauga, Elmore, and Madison counties, as officials across the state of Alabama continue to address the growing concerns regarding school safety.
A new program in Jackson is working to address crime and empower single mothers and their sons in the community. Operation Good, a nonprofit organization consisting of former prisoners, has played a significant role in reducing crime rates in the areas it serves. In one neighborhood, the crime rate dropped from 87% to 14%.
Fredrick Womack, the founder and executive director of Operation Good, explains that their goal is to address the root causes of violence in Jackson. They are actively engaging in family interventions and collaborating with single mothers and at-risk youth to prevent violent crimes.
“Our aim is to change the mindset of high-risk individuals and provide them with a better path in life, while also supporting the mothers,” says Womack. “Data shows that over 52% of children in this area are born into unwed families, with 77% of them being raised by single moms.”
While the Mississippi Department of Public Safety aims to reduce violent crime by 5% through federal grants, Womack highlights that Mississippi received funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, with 20% of the money designated for community organizations involved in public safety and violence prevention. However, instead of allocating the funds as intended, Mississippi used the money to establish a Capitol Police Department.
In addition to their crime prevention efforts, Operation Good also engages with the community by providing food, educational resources, and mentoring programs to families. They organize monthly events, such as block parties and community symposiums. The upcoming symposium on September 26 will focus on violence prevention and feature discussions led by victims of violent crime.
“We are partnering with hospitals and researchers to address gun violence and support those who have been victims of such incidents,” Womack explains. “Through the symposium, we want to ensure they are aware of the available resources.”
According to the Marshall Project, Jackson has implemented a curfew that restricts young people from being out past 10 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends. This curfew is set to expire in January 2025. Additionally, city officials hope that engagement centers can provide a safe haven for children in the meantime.
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Connecticut remains unaffected by a recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned a federal bump-stock ban implemented by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) following a 2017 mass shooting. The shooter was found to have used weapons equipped with bump stocks, which enable rapid-fire capabilities. Melissa Kane, board chair and interim executive director of Connecticut Against Gun Violence, emphasized the need for federal action in response to the ruling. Legislation to ban bump stocks has already been introduced in the U.S. House and Senate, and Kane stated that Congress has the power to enact such a ban to keep these dangerous weapons off the streets and out of our communities.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has indicated his intention to call for a vote on legislation banning bump stocks. However, Kane acknowledges the political gridlock that poses a challenge to implementing this ban, as GOP senators have expressed their opposition to it.
Despite this, pre-ban polls indicated that a majority of Americans supported such a ban, and many state attorneys general have emphasized the necessity of a federal bump-stock ban. Kane believes that Connecticut can serve as a model for other states and the federal government, highlighting the strength of their own legislation as a reference point for other states seeking to enact similar bans. Currently, fifteen states and the District of Columbia have bump-stock bans in effect, as the Supreme Court ruling only pertains to the ATF rule and not the constitutionality of state bans.
Two Michigan lawmakers are pushing for stricter gun laws that would expand gun-free zones within the State Capitol complex. State Sen. Dayna Polehanki and State Sen. Rosemary Bayer have introduced Senate Bills 857 and 858, which would prohibit carrying firearms in the State Capitol building, the Binsfeld Senate Office Building, and the Anderson House Office Building, with the exception of legislators.
The proposed legislation aims to protect legislators and the democratic process from potential harm caused by firearms in places where laws are made. Violators of the gun-free zone laws could face up to 90 days in jail and/or fines.
Ryan Bates, executive director of the group End Gun Violence Michigan, supports these bills, stating that it is crucial to safeguard democracy from the threat of guns. He emphasized the importance of not allowing a functioning democracy to be overshadowed by the presence of firearms.
However, firearms instructor and gun-rights advocate Rick Ector disagrees with the idea of gun-free zones. He believes that responsible gun ownership is essential but argues that allowing law-abiding citizens to carry firearms in more places would actually enhance safety. Ector pointed out that individuals with concealed pistol licenses, who would be most affected by these laws, are statistically more law-abiding than the law enforcement community and have completed the required training.
Both bills have been assigned to the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety.
