Arrests at some Leon County high schools more than doubled last year, raising new concerns about student safety and prompting district leaders to consider new security measures, including metal detectors at school entrances.
For example, during the 2024-2025 school year, Leon High School had 36 arrests. A year ago there were 17 of them.
Superintendent Rocky Hanna announced during the first few weeks of school that he was seriously considering installing metal detectors at the entry point of all high schools after gun seizures were reported.
The district has a zero-tolerance policy against drugs, weapons and threats to harm others on its campuses. Last year, ten school arrests involved weapons on campus, from loaded guns to an ax to a set of razor blades.
Jimmy Williams, director of safety and security at LCS, said the district’s efforts to bring metal detectors to high schools are still ongoing, and his team has met with principals to determine best practices for the process.
“Over the last three years, our total gun seizures have gone down, and that’s a pretty significant drop,” Williams said. “When we initiate the program, we want to make sure that it is well thought out.
Data from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office School Deputy Resource Unit shows 66 arrests at area high schools and 18 arrests at high schools. During the 2023-24 school year, 47 arrests were reported in middle schools and 16 in high schools.
The data doesn’t reveal what arrests were made for, but state discipline data does. It has yet to be announced and released. According to Hanna, the most common reasons for most arrests were threats and violence.
“We’ve taken a tougher stance on violent behavior and threatening comments, whether it’s online, texting or otherwise,” Hanna said. “Kids don’t think before they post or send things that are threatening and lead to arrest.
The school district has been proactive in addressing student behavior and is working with law enforcement and other agencies to find innovative ways to keep students out of trouble and strengthen student behavior policies.
“We’re trying to avoid arresting children, but there’s also a balance between actions and consequences,” Hanna said. “Anytime we can get a kid into a referral program, they’re grateful.”
LCSO also offers civil citations to students who commit minor crimes such as non-domestic battery and assault, possession of drug paraphernalia, and any other non-violent misdemeanor. This option is designed to provide a second chance through community service and counseling for first-time juvenile offenders.
For the 2024-2025 school year, according to LCSO data, arrests and civil complaints broken down by school:
High school arrests and civil filings
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There were three arrests and seven civil complaints at Cobb High School.
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There were no arrests or civil citations at Deerlake High School.
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There were three arrests and 15 civil citations at Fairview High School.
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There were four arrests and seven civil complaints at Nims High School.
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Four people were arrested at Griffin High School and no civil rights were taken.
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There were no arrests and six civil citations at Fort Braden High School.
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Raa High School has had one arrest and two civil cases.
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There was one arrest and seven civil complaints at Swift Creek High School.
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There were no arrests or civil citations at Montford High School.
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There were two arrests and two civil cases at Woodville High School.
High school arrests and civil filings
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There was one arrest at Chile High School and no civil charges.
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There were five arrests and 21 civil citations at Godby High School.
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At Leon High School, 36 people and 13 civilians were arrested.
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Lincoln High School had 6 arrests and 16 civil citations.
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There were 17 arrests and five civil cases at Rickards High School.
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There was one arrest and one civil forfeiture at SAIL High School.
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Ghazvini’s Second Chance Alternative School has had three arrests and three civil cases.
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Ghazvini Success Academy had one arrest and no civil citations.
Alaijah Brown talks about the children and families of the Tallahassee Democrat. It can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlijahBrown3.
This article originally appeared on the Tallahassee Democrat’s website: ‘Kids don’t think before they post,’ Hanna says of the rise in arrests.