‘I’m afraid for my boys’ lives:’ Mom pleads for metal detectors at school where loaded gun was found

Parents are urging Grand Rapids Public Schools to install metal detectors in the wake of two separate incidents this year where students brought a gun to school. Pictured is a file photo of a metal detector at the entrance of Bayonne High School. (Reena Rose Sibayan | Jersey Journal)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Each morning, Leticia Torres kisses her two sons goodbye as they head off to school, and prays they’ll make it home safely at the end of the day.

Her sons, sixth graders at Burton Middle School, have gone into lockdown twice this school year because of separate incidents - fall and winter - where students brought a gun to school.

Related: After student found with loaded gun at school, Grand Rapids leaders want to hear parents’ concerns

Both times, Torres received a robocall and email from the Grand Rapids Public Schools that her kids were placed into "code yellow" lockdown, an alert that gripped her with fear.

She is terrified the day will come that she gets that call again.

"God forbid I get that third email and that third robocall and it's a tragedy," Torres told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. "I am not prepared and I’m not willing to do that. I don't want to sit around and wait for something like that to happen."

Torres is among parents and teachers pleading with school leaders to install metal detectors at Burton Middle School in the wake of two separate incidents where students brought weapons into the school in the last five months.

On Jan. 18, a 13-year-old Burton student was arrested after bringing a loaded handgun to school. Police seized the gun from the student after the district received a tip about the student's concerning behavior. Three months before that, Oct. 25, another student was found carrying an unloaded handgun and ammo at the school.

Related: Student found with loaded handgun at Grand Rapids school

Torres said she believes installing metal detectors is one thing the district can do to keep students safe and prevent another weapon from entering the school of 482 students.

"My fear is that another gun is going to get into the building," Torres said. "I’m afraid for my boys’ lives. I’m afraid for their safety."

Torres shared those fears with the school board and pleaded with them to take action on March 6 during public comment. She said she has not heard from Superintendent Leadriane Roby, any members of the school board or district administrators about the concerns raised.

Other parents and teachers recently expressed similar concerns about increasing safety measures at the middle school. The district held a community public safety meeting on Feb. 2, where several community members asked school leaders to install metal detectors and implement a clear bookbag policy.

Larry Johnson, GRPS chief of staff and executive director of public safety, said the district is still considering several different options for increasing security at Burton Middle School, including the possibility of installing metal detectors.

As of March 13, the district had not made any decisions about installing metal detectors, or any other specific measures, Johnson said. He said school leaders are still considering what kind of security measures would be the best fit for Burton Middle School, located at 2133 Buchanan Ave. SW.

Johnson said he is in constant communication with parents, and that he wants to have an open dialogue about safety and security.

"Most of them know that it's a slow process for us, and that we’re just trying to put the best practice in place that we can sustain for the long haul," he said.

The school board went into closed session during a special meeting March 13 for less than an hour to discuss "security planning," but no action was taken at the meeting.

Torres said the district isn't moving fast enough to address the concerns from parents and teachers.

"I don't understand what they’re waiting for to do something about it," she said. "Something needs to get done before God forbid something serious happens."

Torres is currently gathering signatures from other parents for a petition urging the district to install metal detectors, which she will eventually submit to the school board.

She has gotten roughly 100 signatures so far by waiting after school each day and talking to other parents as they’re picking up their kids from school.

"I tell all the parents, there's strength in numbers," she said.

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‘I’m afraid for my boys’ lives:’ Mom pleads for metal detectors at school where loaded gun was found