Β The rise in violent crimes in Salisbury is now impacting events at local schools.Β Β A shooting last week near a Salisbury High School football game put the team and fans on lockdown.Β Tonight, many came out to show their support for the players.Β
It’s Friday night football, butΒ the rise in violent crimes across Salisbury has many focused on their safety, instead of the action on the field.
Former student Eric Gibson says, “It’s sad, it’s just these gangs around here. The students just don’t have no outlet, nothing to do, out school, in the streets.”
There’s been three shootings near the schools campus just this month.
Β Β Rowan – Salisbury school superintendent Lynn Moody says they are now stepping up security.
“You see the extra police officers on force and we used wands tonight at the game, sometimes use drug dogs to keep our students safe, ” says moody.
Β The new safety measures also included moving up the start time of tonights game to get students home earlier.Β
Harley Hirst goes to Salisbury High School and said,”If the game ended late like other nights, I wouldn’t feel safe walking home, move it up to 6 o’clock I feel safe walking home. “
The police reports show that the incidents happen at night, one of them last Thursday during the game just behind the visitors bench.
“The shooting last Thursday was off the premises and you could hear the gunshot from the school and we went into lockdown immediately, “says Moody.
Β Β Β Many say the crime in the neighboring areas are giving the school a bad name.Β
Former teacher and coach Scott Maddox is one of them. “More is made of Salisbury High then it has, things are just happenings near the school not at the school.”
Students say they’ve noticed an increase in police presence on campus and in local neighborhoods.
Β Β School officials are also looking into adding security cameras and putting up fences on the property.
