Gun violence: When will America Give up Firearms?
By: Annalise Whitaker
March 30, 2023
Since the fatal shooting of Temple officer Fitzgerald, many people and parents of students have been voicing more of their concerns about their children's safety while attending school in the North Philadelphia area.
The threats that Temple students experience and peril that they face also affect the students and staff at Carver High School and nearby schools as well. Temple students organized a March on a Tuesday afternoon demanding more initiative on the schools behalf to keep the students informed and protected.
With more of this ongoing violence happening around Carver and Temple’s campus, our schools have been experiencing more lock down and lock-ins. Carver’s security guards have stepped up as well as having the students clear the courtyard and get home more hastily than usual to keep the students safe.
"I understand that sometimes for the students it can be worse because it feels as if we are taking your freedom, when in reality we're just trying to keep you safe.” Carver security guard said.
Andrea Swan, the director of the community and neighborhood affair division for Temple does not feel unsafe while living in her neighborhood, but hears about severe incidents that happen in the area.
“We have seen in the News where unfortunately there have been severe incidents of crime and buildings have been locked in.” Andrea Swan says.
This heavily limits the movement of students on their way to and from school, taking a quick run to the corner store, or even just sitting outside enjoying their lunch.“ I don’t feel comfortable walking from school unless I’m walking with a group. " carver student says.
Andrea Swan says there are steps you can take to feel more safe while walking down the street in your neighborhood.
“I encourage students and staff that I engage with to be cautious as well.” Andrea Swan says.