Parents demand increased school security

WILMINGTON — It’s been a week that would give any parent reason to worry. Six schools in downtown Wilmington were put on lock-down Thursday after reports of a gunman near New Hanover High School.

Two days earlier a young man was murdered a block away from New Hanover High School, minutes after school let out.

Some parents are not convinced that their kids are safe in school. They’re demanding the school increase security in and around campus.

More deputies than usual patrolled the hallways of New Hanover High School Friday after the school was locked down twice in four days. But parents like Joseph Cenname don’t think that’s enough.

Cenname said, “Anyone can just walk right on there and do whatever they want.”

Cenamme has two children enrolled in New Hanover High. He says he’s also concerned about their safety when they leave campus.

“I don’t want my kids walking out of that school and getting shot by a stray bullet,” Cenamme said.

Friday the school was on modified lock-down, which means increased security and tighter supervision of students.

Dr. Rick Holiday is the assistant superintendent for New Hanover county schools. He says officials are keeping campus safe but they need to keep the situation in perspective.

“We’re doing what we need to do, but at the same time we need to have normal high school activity as well,” Holiday said.

New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Edward McMahon said, “We’d love to put a big fence around them and unfortunately we cannot do that. So we feel that we are doing everything possible to make it the safest environment we can for school children.”

Sheriff’s office officials say they still aren’t sure if in fact there was an armed man approaching the school Thursday as the 911 caller claimed.

They are still investigating all possibilities and invite anyone with information about the case to call 798-4200.