Norfolk principal: Pepper spray used on big assailant

Posted to: Education News Norfolk
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By Steven G. Vegh
The Virginian-Pilot
© October 29, 2011

NORFOLK

The pepper spray incident at Granby High School on Wednesday involved a large student who tried to break into a classroom to attack another student, the school's principal said Friday.

Principal Ted Daughtrey said in an email that security guards took the assailant to the ground but were unable to control him. The student disregarded guards' warnings about pepper spray. "When it became evident that the security staff was unable to restrain him, they used the spray," Daughtrey said.

Division security officers have used pepper spray on disruptive students three times this month. Norfolk is the only South Hampton Roads school division with such a policy.

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Have you been pepper sprayed? I have.

Submitted by cwest004 on Thu, 11/03/2011 at 5:24 pm.

As a former law enforcement officer I know that pepper spray hurts. All police officers are sprayed in the face at close range. I also know that it does not injure except in extreme cases. However a fist to the face does hurt and will injure. Pepper spray is an acceptable step in the continum of force. It stops the immediate danger to all parties and does not cause permanent injury. As a teacher who has recently been victimized by students in the form of theft I know that only consistency and zero tolerence for any violence and disrespect will keep students in their place. Students want to learn and good teachers want to teach. However teachers are worn down by continued disrespect and tolerence for this by parents.

The New World

Submitted by lmp98 on Wed, 11/02/2011 at 1:15 pm.

These are not the kids of the 60's and 70's. They grow up in 1 parent households and have no discipline. They can only be controlled using force.

Granby

Submitted by nomas on Mon, 10/31/2011 at 4:20 pm.

Granby High School has great leadership(Mr. Daughtery is a very involved and wonderful principal). The school is well controlled and the teachers are top notch and very supportive. Plus there are a lot of wonderful kids of all races at Granby. This young man broke the rules and pepper spray was probably one of the best ways to subdue him. It is amazing that incidents like this bring out the worst in people and yet these are the same people if their children were hurt would be suing the school and asking why more force wasn't used to keep the situation under control. The school can't win.

Principal Who?

Submitted by nohaters100 on Sun, 10/30/2011 at 7:48 pm.

This "jewel of the crown" high school has been failing for a long time. Leadership is the issue with falling test scores, great teachers leaving, kids out of control. How can the principal last all these years, oh ya, look who he is related to in city hall. He will never be held accountable. Everyone else will be the problem. Thugs will be the excuse, a big kid - how big? 5 foot 9, 6 foot, 7 foot? With the exception of some great teachers, no one at this school cares about the kids that want an education. The problem is with the top administrators. Another problem there, Tommy, was lucky to get out, until this last year, he was an asst principal.

Wake Up Norfolk

Submitted by twinders on Sat, 10/29/2011 at 2:09 pm.

Norfolk Residents,

Do you ever wonder why these kinds of issues occur so frequently in your schools? I'm talking about students that beat up teachers, bus drivers, and other students. Students getting gunned down right outside of school property by other students? Do you realize these kinds of incidents affect your property values? Your city leadership has failed you miserably.

city leadership?

Submitted by nfkstateofmind on Sat, 10/29/2011 at 7:55 pm.

Huh? You should have said norfolk residents your fellow neighbors have failed you in failing to raise these wild animals into productive law abiding citizens.

And uh, mom & dad

Submitted by BeachBoy2 on Sat, 10/29/2011 at 9:28 pm.

Discipline starts at home. If it doesn't happen there, it isn't going to happen.

Really?

Submitted by rickh81501 on Sat, 10/29/2011 at 1:23 pm.

These same people that say no to pepper spray would be ready to sue the school and anyone else they can if their kid got beat up and no one protected little Johnny from harm.

In the heat of the moment a BIG kid can inflict major damage in a few seconds. The school guards are concerned with stopping it ASAP - not who's stronger or badder. The fight stops now. These kids have zero respect and could care less what the consequences will be an hour later. An hour after someone is seriously hurt. Sorry but fear isn't a deterrent and once a fight starts you're past all that BS. I'll take red eyes over black eyes any day.