Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - On the day after massive fights broke out outside McKinley High School and at a nearby intersection, Buffalo Police leadership says the behavior won't be tolerated and Buffalo Schools Superintendent Dr. Tonja Williams assures parents that students are not 'out of control'.
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A 16-year-old was arrested following the fights that involved hundreds of students outside McKinley High School before moving to nearby Elmwood and Amherst Street in Buffalo.
Williams told reporters Wednesday she believes there was communication among the students involved during the day Tuesday, likely via cell phone, and those students made 'poor decisions' in not getting on their assigned buses and becoming involved in the fights.
Williams noted the initial fights were between female students.
Williams opened her press briefing emphasizing the student body, as a whole, is not out of control, adding, "They are students who have been impacted by a global pandemic."
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia says in addition to the Student Resource Officers on site at McKinley, additional officers responded as the situation escalated. "There were problems that were brewing throughout the day that escalated into a physical altercation, a fight, when school let out which attracted more kids from the school. Ultimately there were hundreds and hundreds of kids that were outside."
Gramaglia said some of the students challenged officers and pepper spray was used successfully as a crowd dispersal method. "Nobody was hurt to the best of our information," said Gramaglia.
Whatever led to the extensive fighting, Gramaglia warned students and parents that police will continue to take action and prosecute students when necessary. "We’re not going to tolerate this. If criminal misconducts occurs, we will make arrests."
Williams says there will be changes in security protocols in the district, including; increasing wanding from random to 100 percent, utilizing a security consultant, increased metal detectors and potentially hiring a district chief of security.
Dismissal at McKinley was adjusted Wednesday and staggered, to limit and control the number of students exiting the building at any one time.
Williams reinforced that schools are safe for the 32 thousand students who attend. "Parents should not feel afraid to send their children to school," she said.