Editorial: February 23, 2024: Brockton’s Cry for Help [Video]

THIS IS A WCVB CHANNEL FIVE EDITORIAL SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD, WCVB PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER KYLE GRIMES. THERE’S SOMETHING TERRIBLY WRONG. WHEN ELECTED SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARE PLEADING FOR THE HELP OF THE NATIONAL GUARD TO PROTECT CHILDREN IN SCHOOL AND NOT BECAUSE OF A SPECIFIC THREAT OF VIOLENCE, BUT BECAUSE DAILY LIFE IN THE HALLWAYS HAS BECOME UNSAFE. LAST WEEK, FOUR MEMBERS OF THE BROCKTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MADE A PLEA FOR GOVERNOR MAURA HEALEY TO DEPLOY THE NATIONAL GUARD TO BEGIN PATROLLING BROCKTON HIGH SCHOOL. THE THREAT, THEY SAY, COMES IN THE FORM OF AN INCREASE IN VIOLENCE AMONG THE 3600 STUDENTS OPEN DRUG USE IN SCHOOL AND DANGEROUS. UNDERSTAFFING WHILE THE GUARD IS OFTEN DEPLOYED IN NONMILITARY EMERGENCIES, THINK NATURAL DISASTERS OR SPECIALIZED PERSONNEL ASSISTING WITH COVID VACCINATIONS. POLICING TEENS IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL WOULD BE A DRAMATIC DEPARTURE. AND YET WE CAN’T BLAME THESE …