Guest Editorial – Sheriff Scott on North Ft. Myers High Security
Regrettably, a failure on the part of local media to report all the facts, has resulted in misinformation relative to the events of heightened security at Lee County Schools last Friday, April 20th. I happen to know that the media was provided with all the facts, because I personally provided them.
During the day on Thursday, April 19th, very loosely organized information began to surface that students wearing Virginia Tech colors as a memorial to the recent tragedy would be targeted for violence. It is important to note that rumors of similar incidents following the Virginia Tech episode have created problems for at least ten (10) other major cities across the U.S. Acting on this information, your Sheriff’s Office, local police departments, and School District staff, arranged for the extra presence of law enforcement and security at schools the following day. This initial plan included deployment of our helicopter to casually check the various campuses and perimeters from above.
Very early in the morning on Friday, April 20th, I personally became aware of additional information that seemed to focus more on North Fort Myers High School. Still, this information was very loosely organized, far removed from any tangible origin, and nowhere near a level that would spur consideration of school closure. I personally related this information to Dr. Browder and North’s Principal Kim Lunger, and I informed them that our plan would remain essentially the same, with the addition of a few extra personnel at North High. My Chief Deputy and I stayed at North High all day, while others from my Command Staff were at schools across the county. I am unable to speak to the speculation and rumors that flowed as the morning unfolded, but text messaging, cell phones, and related technology being what it is; I can only imagine. At the same time, media was arriving, and I personally met with each of them, sharing all facts and information pertinent to the security increases across the county.
My two (2) daughters were not at school last Friday, and I informed the media why when it became obvious to me that some were bent on implying that I did not think North High was safe that day. In addition to legitimate reasons for my daughters being absent, the media knew that my Chief Deputy’s daughter was in school, along with the Principal’s son, and several other children of my staff. These facts apparently did not blend well with the angle some apparently wanted to portray…these facts would have brought perspective and balance to the issue of whether top law enforcement officials felt their own children were safe. Sadly, certain members of local media chose to pursue a side story using bits and pieces to strategically infer their agenda at my expense.
I applaud Dr. Browder, North High Principal Kim Lunger and her staff, and school principals and staff across the county. Despite what several news stories would have you believe, the events at North High last Friday were handled with great efficiency and attention to detail. It is a sad commentary on today’s society when situations like this arise, but I am confident that your Sheriff’s Office and School District worked well in tandem given the validity of the information and timing within which we received it. As your Sheriff, I assure you that the safety and security of every citizen is my primary goal, and I remain personally involved and devoted in matters that affect our community; especially our children.
Sheriff Mike Scott 239-340-9501
