PORTSMOUTH — Police Chief Robert Merner and his five top-ranking officers toured Portsmouth High School Thursday to view it from a police perspective and use their observations to make health and safety plans.
While he and the five other uniformed officers walked the school hallways at lunchtime Feb. 1, he said, "I can tell you it caused a fervor."
The chief said the students were orderly and inquisitive, with one asking him why they were there. When he answered they were touring the school building, Merner said, the student told him, "I don't believe you." The chief said he thought the student would make a fine journalist.
Merner was joined by police Capt. Frank Warchol and lieutenants Chris Cummings, Michael Maloney, Mark Newport and Darrin Sargent. Leading them on the tour were PHS Principal Mary Lyons and Superintendent of Schools Steve Zadravec.
While there, the chief said, they saw students fist-bumping the school resource officer and saw first-hand that "they know and respect him."
The police chief said he and his command staff toured the school to see "what issues are and aren't being addressed." Their visit came a week after two mothers appeared before the School Board to report inconsistent coverage by the school resource officer, due to an injury, vaping and alleged drug use in school bathrooms, and a bathroom fight.
Merner said police found the front doors locked when they arrived, as expected, so they were buzzed in. He said police officials discussed which doors should be locked at what times and the School Department is considering a grant for electronic door locks that can be monitored remotely. The chief said there was also a discussion about security cameras in the high school because the current ones are old and could possibly be replaced with grant funds.
The police and school officials viewed school bathrooms and rejected a suggestion that one, which was the scene of a recent fight, be locked, the chief said. That bathroom, he said, is not remotely located and well within everyday school activity.
Merner said last week that the fight, mentioned by mothers Brenna Cavanaugh and Jennifer Philbrick to the School Board, involved two boys who prearranged by text to fight and 10 or 15 others went to watch. The chief said the fight was video recorded, the school is investigating and if there’s a crime, police will get involved.
After Thursday's school tour, Merner said the Police Department will be working with school officials to also plan programs and lectures for students about various topics designed to keep them safe. He said social media, domestic violence, drug abuse and vaping are four topics they plan to address.
"The kids are marvelous," Merner said. "We're looking at ways we can better serve."
Zadravec said school administrators were "happy to have a visit (from police) so they can get a better sense of what Portsmouth High School is all about."
"This is a chance to work together on problems we've always known have existed," he said.
Zadravec also said he thinks the topic of having police K-9s visit city schools, to search for drugs or weapons, will be revisited by a School Board now comprised of newly-elected members.
In September, School Board member and former assistant mayor Nancy Novelline Clayburgh said it’s time to “have a conversation” about using police K-9s in city schools to keep them safe. Merner said then he would make the police K-9 teams available and the School Board put the topic on hold.
The Police Department has two K-9 teams: Officer Steve Blanding and K-9 Max and officer Aaron Stacy and K-9 Axe.
Merner said Thursday that he wants to hear all concerns from any parents and will work to address them.