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CNN Live At Daybreak

Police with Guns Drawn Storm High School in Drug Sweep

Aired November 07, 2003 - 05:35   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: In South Carolina, police with guns drawn storm a high school in a drug sweep.
The story from Heather Hamil (ph) of CNN affiliate WCSC in Charleston.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GEORGE MCCRACKIN, PRINCIPAL: This was like a real life situation yesterday. This was not a drill.

HEATHER HAMIL, WCSC CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Police officers with guns drawn, screaming for kids to get on the floor so their bags could be searched for drugs.

MCCRACKIN: Stratford High School has always had a reputation of being a safe, clean school. And I will utilize whatever forces that I deem necessary to keep this campus safe and clean.

HAMIL: But some parents were furious, saying it went too far.

LATONIA SIMMONS, PARENT: Now why did they have to take all that force? You know, they were innocent kids. They were just minding their own business, getting ready for class.

HAMIL: The police say not everyone is innocent. A lot of drug activity has been seen in this very hall. But some say pointing loaded weapons at kids isn't the answer.

SIMMONS: I mean that was just enough to frustrate any parent.

LT. DAVE AARONS, GOOSE CREEK, SOUTH CAROLINA POLICE: Some of the officers had their weapons drawn at a low ready position, which is not pointing at the faces or heads of the students. It was down in a position where should somebody who has drugs on them and fears that -- of getting caught and for some reason if they made a poor decision and decided to use a weapon for means of escape, then, you know, we were able to address that.

HAMIL: Officers say it was for everyone's safety. They did handcuff several students who wouldn't get down.

MCCRACKIN: I don't think it was an over reaction on our part. I'm sure it was an inconvenience to those individuals who were on that hallway. But I think there's a valuable experience there.

HAMIL: A canine officer did smell drugs in 12 book bags, but nothing was actually found. But police aren't discouraged.

AARONS: We've sent a message to the folks distributing and dealing drugs at the school that, you know, we know you're doing that, we have no hesitation to come in and address it.

HAMIL: As for repeating this shocking scene?

MCCRACKIN: If we have to, we will.

HAMIL: Not something this parent wanted to hear.

SIMMONS: Senseless. I think it was very senseless.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Again, that report coming to us from Heather Hamil of CNN affiliate WCSC in Charleston.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired November 7, 2003 - 05:35   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: In South Carolina, police with guns drawn storm a high school in a drug sweep.
The story from Heather Hamil (ph) of CNN affiliate WCSC in Charleston.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GEORGE MCCRACKIN, PRINCIPAL: This was like a real life situation yesterday. This was not a drill.

HEATHER HAMIL, WCSC CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Police officers with guns drawn, screaming for kids to get on the floor so their bags could be searched for drugs.

MCCRACKIN: Stratford High School has always had a reputation of being a safe, clean school. And I will utilize whatever forces that I deem necessary to keep this campus safe and clean.

HAMIL: But some parents were furious, saying it went too far.

LATONIA SIMMONS, PARENT: Now why did they have to take all that force? You know, they were innocent kids. They were just minding their own business, getting ready for class.

HAMIL: The police say not everyone is innocent. A lot of drug activity has been seen in this very hall. But some say pointing loaded weapons at kids isn't the answer.

SIMMONS: I mean that was just enough to frustrate any parent.

LT. DAVE AARONS, GOOSE CREEK, SOUTH CAROLINA POLICE: Some of the officers had their weapons drawn at a low ready position, which is not pointing at the faces or heads of the students. It was down in a position where should somebody who has drugs on them and fears that -- of getting caught and for some reason if they made a poor decision and decided to use a weapon for means of escape, then, you know, we were able to address that.

HAMIL: Officers say it was for everyone's safety. They did handcuff several students who wouldn't get down.

MCCRACKIN: I don't think it was an over reaction on our part. I'm sure it was an inconvenience to those individuals who were on that hallway. But I think there's a valuable experience there.

HAMIL: A canine officer did smell drugs in 12 book bags, but nothing was actually found. But police aren't discouraged.

AARONS: We've sent a message to the folks distributing and dealing drugs at the school that, you know, we know you're doing that, we have no hesitation to come in and address it.

HAMIL: As for repeating this shocking scene?

MCCRACKIN: If we have to, we will.

HAMIL: Not something this parent wanted to hear.

SIMMONS: Senseless. I think it was very senseless.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Again, that report coming to us from Heather Hamil of CNN affiliate WCSC in Charleston.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com