Police confirm uptick in fights, near brawls at Northside High School

By: Scott Leamon | WSLS
Published: November 20, 2009

Roanoke County police confirmed to 10 On Your Side it's seen an uptick in fights and shouting matches (disorderly conduct) at Northside High School.

Police have been involved in five cases of either fights or near brawls at Northside since November 1st.

Statistics showed only one report of any similar incidents between the beginning of the school year in August through October 31st.

Most of the cases involved fights over who's dating whom--- teenage dating, police said.

At least one of the five cases was factional, or between one group of friends and another.

Police said none of the cases appeared to be related or a sign of any overwhelming issues at the school.

Roanoke County schools deputy superintendent Allen Journell said staff and teachers at the school were on top of the situation.

Journell said the school is definitely safe.

"I don't think Northside or any of the other [Roanoke County] schools have any more [problems with fighting] than would normally be occurring when you're dealing with teenagers," Journell said.

Journell said staff and teachers at Northside get proactive when this type of activity seems to increase.

School staff and school resource officers look at times and places where any problems may be occurring, as well as any groups of students involved, then style their response to fit the situation, police said.

Journell said students are often taken aside and counseled to pick better solutions than fighting when it comes to resolving any conflicts.