A 16-year-old female student from Meadowbrook High School in St. Andrew has been indicted by the police following a video that surfaced showing her physically assaulting another student.
Superintendent Shericka Service, the head of St. Andrew North Police, made the announcement on Friday, April 26, 2024.
Radio Jamaica News reported that the student faces charges of assault occasioning bodily harm and is scheduled to appear in Family Court on May 13, 2024.
The video depicts a teenager repeatedly kicking and punching her peer on school grounds. This behavior is concerning and requires careful attention from the appropriate authorities.
At one point, the victim seemed to lose consciousness after her head struck the pavement amidst the brutal attack.
Despite the victim’s apparent unconscious state, the irate 16-year-old continued to attack her helpless classmate.
Rising Concerns as School Violence Intensifies.
The increase in school violence has left teachers apprehensive and concerned about the safety of their students and colleagues.
The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) says teachers are now in fear due to the surge in violence in the island’s schools.
In an interview with Radio Jamaica News, JTA President Leighton Johnson revealed that there is growing concern among teachers about the number of students involved in gang activities being allowed in schools among the student population.
He said the crisis is taking a toll on the mental state of educators and school administrators.
“What teachers have indicated to me is that when they have to consistently be dealing with these levels of violence, where there is a constant need to be managing disruptive behavior, diffusing conflicts, and ensuring that they have to take control of these situations all the time, it takes a toll on their mental and emotional health. We have seen that this chronic stress can lead to burnout over time, and this is what our teachers have indicated that they are experiencing daily. Teachers are afraid,” he complained.
JTA President Leighton Johnson
The JTA president boldly declared that certain teachers know “student gangsters” but avoid addressing the issue. He adamantly reiterated his demand for school administrations and boards to take firm action and expel students believed to be participating in gang activities.
“Ensure that you follow the protocols and you remove these individuals from the schools who are insistent on dealing with their conflicts aggressively, who are violent prone, who will not yield to the positive interventions and support, who will consistently want to disrupt the harmony of the school,” he urged.
JTA President Leighton Johnson
Westmoreland businessman was charged with possession of identity information.
Westmoreland police have filed lottery scamming charges against a businessman who was apprehended with alleged identity information of individuals residing abroad.
The suspect, identified as Odane Smith, a 32-year-old resident of Petersfield, was formally indicted on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
Authorities reported that Smith was apprehended around 10:20 am during a police operation in Savanna-la-mar.
During the operation, a cellphone belonging to Smith was seized, revealing the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of overseas individuals.
Following a question-and-answer session, the suspect was charged with possessing identity information. His court appearance date is pending.