Cranston West increases police presence

By: News Staff

news@abc6.com

Cranston, R.I. — An increased police presence at Cranston High School West Wednesday after a group of students were arrested for having handguns on school property.

Three police cruisers sat parked out in front of the school as students were dropped off Wednesday morning.

They will be there most of the day strictly as a precaution.

Nerves ran high at Cranston West after the arrest of three students on weapons charges.

Freshman Pilar Dalamba learned about the situation only after arriving to school Wednesday morning.

“I walked in. I didn’t know anything- just thought it was a fight no weapons and then I came to school and my friend said there were guns outside the school.”

According to police, the male juveniles, ranging in age from 14 to 16, had a handgun and a stun gun on the grounds Monday during an after school athletic event.

Parents were horrified.

“It’s scary to think that your child is in a school and kids have guns now and where did they get the guns?,” said Kathleen.

It turns out the weapons were taken from a family member’s home and traded for a jacket.

But investigators say the teens never entered the building with the firearms and that there is no evidence they intended to harm anyone.

One parent telling ABC6 News that despite the incident, her son is not worried about his personal safety.

“He’s handling it fine. I don’t believe he’s afraid. I think he still feels comfortable coming to the school.”

But for others, knowing that school authorities are on top of it as well as having an increased police, is what is helping them to remain calm.

Multiple cruisers were seen parked out front during pick up and drop off, and ABC6 News was told that two school resource officers are inside daily incase they are needed.

“It does make me feel better that they are taking it more serious than just like this kid just brought a gun to school lets get over it.”

The three teens are being held at the Rhode Island State training school and are pending their arraignments.

Due to the fact that they are minors, their names are not being released and the school is not able to comment on any disciplinary action.

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016