Junction City Police Chief John Lamb confirms that the 14 participants in a large melee at Junction City High School last Thursday have all been suspended from school. "Law enforcement is moving forward with ensuring that they're being held accountable for their actions." Lamb noted that moving forward there will be an open line of communication so authorities can address any information that they receive, take the necessary steps to get out in front of it and take preventative action. "If we have another repeat incident we are going to take the necessary enforcement actions."
Lamb confirmed that those students involved in the melee will be issued a citation alleging Disorderly Conduct and they will have to appear in court.
Lamb noted that police will meet regularly with school officials and address any rumors. "Listen for information from the students." He commented that USD 475 is preparing to launch a new software which will let people submit information anonymously that will allow police to take preventative steps. "We're going to identify those individuals who are causing problems in the school and just make sure that they understand our expectations." Lamb said if they misbehave and it's a code of conduct violation the school will address it, and if it's criminal police will be involved.
USD 475 Superintendent Dr. Reginald Eggleston told JC Post.com he thought that there was a good plan of action to have open lines of communication. "That we ensure that within the building if teachers, students or even other administrators hear of anything that may be occurring between groups of students or individuals that we try to be as proactive as we possibly can."
Eggleston said many times where there are student disagreements it stems from something outside of school and finds it's way into the school. "Just trying to make sure that the entire building, whether it's teachers, students, support staff, all know we're in this together. And that is a unified effort in keeping the school safe." The building will be closely monitored. "We are, and ensure again that if we hear anything, see anything that looks unusual or just appears suspicious, that we're going to make sure that the administrators know and can have ample time to investigate and get in front of it or prevent something from occurring."
Eggleston added that he would also like the community to do the same. Often when something is occurring in the community somebody knows about it. "May not be as sensitive to it as should be and if there's something that looks suspicious or doesn't look safe please make sure that they reach out to some authorities, more than likely the District Office or the Police Department and just make someone aware of it." Eggleston also said that they want to be as proactive as possible moving forward.