Police Patrols Upped At Taravella H.S. After Fires, Fights & Online Threats
CORAL SPRINGS (CBSMiami) – School leaders met with parents Thursday about activity at J.P. Taravella High School that started with fires on the property earlier in the week.
School leaders told parents the Coral Springs Police Department will increase patrols and presence at the school.
"It's kind of scary because the school environment is supposed to be a safe environment," said Bethany Lefler, a student. "With all of the police here, it feels like that, but with all the threats it doesn't feel like that."
According to officials, a fire was started inside the school Monday and fights took place inside the school.
Another fire was started Tuesday and a student was arrested for setting the fire.
The fires were in a boys bathroom trash can and a boys' locker room.
"I think it's crazy how people will do that, like setting fires in school, I don't think it's needed and it's not what school is for, but I think they're handling the situation pretty well," added student Faith Lefler.
A fire alarm was pulled Tuesday and students were evacuated to the football field, officials said.
The incident spurred what officials said were threats to students' safety that circulated on social media.
The threats, school leaders confirmed, were for a possible shooting at the school.
"It's just social media, everybody talks on social media, it's just talking so I wouldn't really take it like that," said student Gavin Robinson.
Even if the threats are all bark and no bite, student Brittany Hinsey knows increased police patrols make sense.
"Most people think it's not gonna happen, but you have to be prepared," she said.
Officials said the person possibly responsible for the threats has been identified.
But no one can make sense of how this high school with a stellar reputation could have so many incidents in one week
"No one has been able to say what's causing it; whether it's freshmen, new kids or what," said student Nicole Culverhouse.
School security has been ramped up the past few days and more meetings with parents are expected.
"This is high school, this is 2014, this is reality," said parent Hollis Pernick.
"They've kept me abreast of what's going on, what steps they're taking and all that," said Alrick Walker.
"It's a great school," said Carla Dobman. "Both my daughters have gone to the school and we've never had a problem."
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