Helicopter parents or hometown heroes taking a literal stand against violence at their kids' schools? In Charlotte, NC, the moms and dads of students who attend one local high school are blurring the lines.

Parents Patrolling High Schools for Safety's Sake

Last month, parents took to the hallways of Hopewell High, which has a student body of about 1,800. Their mission is to patrol the school after a wave of fights, violent behavior, and threats. One recent incident resulted in lockdown after a fight broke out—and revealed that several students were in possession of loaded guns and other weapons.

“I'm thankful that the day ended without a loss of life that we were able to immediately secure our space,” said Principal Tracey Pickard. “[As a principal] your greatest fear is something happening in your school that would cause harm to staff and students.”

A Better Solution

The first response was to have police officers on hand, but that was, according to one student, “kind of intense.” Having parents on patrol instead benefits the Hopewell community in additional ways by lending emotional support to the high school students as well as making sure that everyone stays physically safe.

Dozens of people have volunteered for the parent patrol squad, called “Titan Dads and Moms on a Mission.” They take it in shifts to stroll around Hopewell, connecting with students during class changes and maintaining an authoritative, but not intimidating, presence.

Parents Volunteering At Other Schools Too

A similar program at Shreveport, LA's Southwood High School, begun last September, has proven effective in ending violence. There, a cadre of “Dads on Duty” has put a stop to a spate of physical altercations that landed some two dozen students in trouble with the law.

As at Hopewell High, the Southwood community is getting more than just a safety patrol. There's a positive influence on students who see strong male role models looking out for their well-being.

“This is one of the most effective mentoring programs that I have seen up close and personal,” Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins said.

Potential Problems of Parent Patrols

There are some potential problems, however, that concern legal experts and school administrators alike. What happens, for example, when a student takes exception to being accused of some type of misconduct? What kind of authority do the patrolling parents actually have to reprimand a student or confiscate an item that could be used as a weapon?

If a fight does break out, are the dads and moms empowered to physically restrain a student until a law enforcement officer or security guard arrives? And what happens if a parent is injured in the line of volunteer duty—would they have a claim against the school, the students involved, or both?

It's important for school boards and local authorities to hash out issues like these before allowing an ad hoc security detail to operate in the hallways of a high school. If you have legal concerns stemming from any kind of on-campus incident, whether it's an overzealous parent, a student bent on violence, or an accuser who's leveling charges at you or your child, contact Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm or an expert opinion. We'll listen to your case, advise you of the next steps, and stay by your side every step of the way until the matter is resolved. Call 888-535-3686 today.