Security guard leaves gun unattended in restroom at Lapeer charter school


Lapeer, MI -- A security officer at a Lapeer charter school left a
firearm unattended in a school bathroom on Monday, Jan. 14, a school
official said.


The security officer "made a breach in security protocol" and left an
unloaded weapon in a restroom "for a few moments," said Chatfield School
Director Matt Young.

Young said the school has been in contact with local authorities about
the matter and wouldn't discuss any possible repercussion for the
officer, calling it "a personnel matter." Young also declined to name
the security officer.

"The school has put additional security procedures in place that follow
local law enforcement practices and guidelines," Young said in a
statement. "At no time was any student involved in this breach of
protocol. We will continue to work on improving school security."

Young stressed that no children were exposed to the handgun or put in
danger, and declined to comment more on specifics of the incident.

***The school recently hired the officer, who is retired from the Lapeer
County Sheriff's Office, as a means to bolster school security. The
effort had recently received attention in Lapeer and Genesee county
media outlets.***

Chatfield is a charter school that serves grades K-8 and has been open
since 1997, according to the school's website.

Lapeer resident Tris Fritz, who has children in third and fifth grade at
the school, called the incident a big mistake. "I think that some kid
might not think it's a real gun. They might think it's a toy. They're
going to be curious, that's the nature of a child."

"I know people are human and they make mistakes," Fritz added. "That's
kind of a big mistake."

Parent Cindy Fliedner, who has two children in third grade at Chatfield,
said the incident has not changed her view that bringing in the officer
was a great idea.

"We're just going to have to refine our procedures," Fliedner said. "I'm
thrilled that the board at Chatfield was proactive to take the steps to
protect our children."

"I'm so thankful they're not just sticking their heads in the sand," she
added.

Lapeer County Prosecutor Byron Konschuh said since nobody was harmed,
the incident likely would not constitute a criminal charge.

"If you left a gun unattended and a toddler finds it and shoots and
hurts someone, it could be some kind of reckless use of a firearm,"
Konschuh said.

Since that did not happen, it's likely no criminal act was committed,
Konschuh added.

"It's almost like no harm no foul."


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Wasn't Scotty, the rec.boats moron, advocating the hiring of retired
cops to guard schools?