Worcester Co. law enforcement put school district on notice over addressing youth violence

WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. – Worcester County’s top law enforcement not mincing words during a Tuesday press conference violence in county schools. The 2022-23 school year was the most violent on record, they say.

Law Enforcement Puts WCPS on Notice

Prosecutors and police say as violent crime is spiking in Worcester County Public Schools (WCPS), the district isn’t doing enough to address the trend. “You cannot say something is a priority, and then not move on suggested safety solutions for months,” said Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli.

The press conference started with a compilation of videos taken on WCPS grounds, depicting fighting, bullying, and violent attacks perpetrated by students, against each other and school staff.

“You are far more likely to be assaulted in a Worcester County Public School than you are anywhere else in Worcester County,” remarked Worcester County State’s Attorney Kris Heiser.

Concerning Statistics

The numbers back up Heiser’s statement.

Since 2019, WCPS has seen a 67% increase in physical attacks on students, a 171% increase in fighting in schools, and a 32% increase in verbal threats against students. Additionally, WCPS staff have suffered 225% more physical attacks from students.

“We watched teachers being assaulted, weapons seizures, violent fights occurring, and then we also discovered that law enforcement wasn’t being notified about many of these incidents, meaning the situation was worse than we even knew,” Heiser said. “If [WCPS doesn’t] address it, there will be more serious and harmful consequences to the students and teachers in Worcester County to come.”

Anecdotally, Heiser cited instances of students who are victims of bullying being granted early dismissal instead of punishing the bully, sex acts and nudity happening on school busses, and weapons brought onto school property; all of these incidents happening without parent notification, says Heiser.

Younger Students Becoming Violent

The data indicates other alarming statistics: students who are perpetrating acts of violence at school are getting younger and younger. Since 2019, the data indicates that 72% of fights and 55% of attacks happened at Worcester County middle schools.

“Crime is having a significant impact on younger and younger students,” Heiser said. “It is extremely disruptive to the learning environment for the rest.”

Sheriff Crisafulli added that without the school district’s help, police have their hands tied when it comes to the youngest offenders.

“Law enforcement has little to no authority to investigate or charge anyone under the age of 12,” Sheriff Crisafulli said. “So, essentially, the school is the safety disciplinarian in these matters.”

“Frustration at every turn”

However, Heiser says the overall numbers might not even paint the full picture. “Keep in mind, these are numbers provided by the schools. This is what they admit for these categories. These numbers don’t include weapons offenses, drug offenses, sex offenses, or disorderly conduct-type offenses,” she said.

Last summer, Worcester County law enforcement and the school district agreed on a memorandum of understanding; prioritizing school safety, and promising to cut down on violent behavior. That agreement quickly unraveled, however, according to Heiser and Sheriff Crisafulli.

Come autumn, Heiser says she received updated crime statistics, which confirmed fears: violence was increasing at WCPS.

Law enforcement provided a list of recommendations to reverse the trend, which school district officials promised to consider. In December, the Worcester County Board of Education directed WCPS to adopt those recommendations.

It was “frustration at every turn,” according to Heiser. “We have seen no meaningful action, and nothing even approaching implementation of a single recommendation,” she said.

Directed at the District, Plea to Parents

During Tuesday’s press conference, Heiser expounded that her grievances lie with WCPS’ executive leadership; not the students, staff, or parents.

“The school resource deputies, the teachers, and the staff are doing their very best to collaborate, and keep kids safe, under difficult circumstances,” Heiser said. “No child should be scared to go to school, and no parent should feel scared to send their child to school. Teachers don’t deserve to be punched in the face and kicked by their own students, and then being blamed for not being skilled enough to prevent their own assault.”

And as law enforcement call for accountability from WCPS, they’re also making a plea to parents.

“It starts at home,” Sheriff Crisafulli said. “We can’t expect our schools to be the parents for our children. The parents in this county have to teach their children right from wrong.”

WCPS Response

WCPS’ public information officer was also at that press conference. District officials tell 47 ABC WMDT they are currently processing the information presented on Tuesday and has no further comment at this time. Wednesday, the Worcester County Board of Education is scheduled to meet, where the discussion will likely continue.