The Shadow
Welcome back, Shadowers! The Shadow “Hamburger High” article addressing school shootings was released last week on Tuesday morning. Approximately 24 hours later on Wednesday, Sept 18, Covington Middle School issued a shelter-in-place order after administrators received a report of a weapon on school property. Luckily, the report was found to be non-credible, and the school resumed normal operations.
Also last week, a 6-year-old student brought a loaded firearm to school over in Orange County, VA. The School Resource Officer (SRO) and the administration quickly brought the situation under control and no incident or threat was experienced by the school. Seeing the quick action on the part of these schools gives us comfort in knowing there is a plan and procedure in place. We owe immense gratitude to all administrators and the SROs at each school for their effective and efficient responses.
But wait, how does a 6-year-old have access to a loaded firearm? Hello? Any responsible adult at home?
Why are we pushing all the responsibility for child safety onto our schools and law enforcement agencies, but ignoring the real issue right in front of us? This is like putting new tires on the tractor, ignoring that the engine’s already done blowed up.
This alarming situation only shows that schools are not islands within themselves, but extensions and reflections of our societal complexities. The old adage applies here — it takes a village to raise a child, so wouldn’t you think that there needs to be a more holistic approach to solving the school shooting situation? Why are we trying only to solve this issue by just hiring more hall monitors in Kevlar?
How about we start calling out the real issues instead of focusing on the political finger-pointing distractors? Everyone’s heard them a million times, yet here we are, still paralyzed into non-action, leaving schools with no choice but to replace the tires on the broken-down tractor. Statements like, ‘They’re gonna take away your guns.’ or ‘You’re prioritizing your gun rights over my and my child’s safety’ get everybody riled up, but are about as effective as fixing the tractor’s engine by putting a new coat of paint on it.
Now here’s a thought, how about we not only replace the tires, give it a good coat of fresh paint, and fix the engine all at the same time?
After seeing the incredibly intelligent and intense discourse on this topic in last week’s Shadow FB group and the responses from community leaders, I have a newfound faith that together, we can indeed fix the problems. Once we got past the mud-slinging propaganda from opposing sides and focused on the real issues and problems, the potential solutions began to bubble to the surface. Things like better reform in our approach to mental health issues, and better-designed red-flag rules that still keep guns in the hands of responsible owners. Or apps like “StopIt” to help students report threats and issues quickly. And most applicable, the fixing and promoting better parental gun safety education, responsibility, and accountability. This can be evidenced by a U.S. Secret Service report from 2019, which found that 76% of school shooters acquired their firearms from their home or from the home of a relative, usually due to improperly stored firearms.
Come on folks, let’s not let curiosity kill the kid.
Even AHPS Superintendent Kim Halterman responded to the article to give assurance that schools in the Highlands are actively addressing this situation and have strong procedures in place. Halterman stated, “We are very pleased with the cooperation of multiple law enforcement agencies and AHPS to help resolve any credible school safety concerns.” She furthered, “AHPS and local law enforcement have detailed Memoranda of Understanding that were recently reviewed through typical processes. We also use all current Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services – Center for School and Campus Safety practices as appropriate. All of these agencies are very committed to school safety, and the Virginia DCJS has really led the way — Virginia is well-regarded as a national leader in these topics given the intense cooperation between schools and law enforcement.”
My hat is off to Superintendent Halterman and her very dedicated staff for doing their part in ensuring our children’s safety.
Speaking of children, the Local Department of Social Services (DSS) is back in the hot seat with a couple of incidents that apparently have been magically scrubbed and hidden from public view. Allegedly, multiple eyewitnesses and sources have stated there was a standoff on July 29 in Covington where police were overheard saying that “the suspect was barricaded in a room downstairs in the house with 2 kids sleeping upstairs. The police were trying to make contact with the suspect at 1:44 a.m.”
Allegedly, once the several-hour ordeal was over, the police did not press charges, and the DSS told the children to go back inside with the individual. However, one citizen was allegedly not comfortable with the police and DSS solution and was able to remove the children from the house and situation.
The second hidden or unreported incident involves a situation at the 300 block of Fudge St on August 29. Eyewitnesses and sources stated, “Police have the street blocked off with tables set up.” Allegedly there was a large presence of police and DEA officers, and the incident seemed to also involve children. Apparently, this incident has also been hidden from public view with no official statement from law enforcement. Unfortunately for the public, because minors were involved in these incidents, any information about it is basically untouchable by any Freedom of Information (FOIA) request.
Wait, aren’t Privacy laws designed to protect children, not to hide gross incompetence or questionable departmental behavior? How do we hold these departments accountable when apparently they are using children as shields to hide the truth?
I’m guessing the DSS is going to have a reckoning come February 2025 when their $5M lawsuit goes to trial. Lawsuits usually morph into something more substantial once facts start showing up.
Finally, the Virginian Review Debate on October 3 at the Historic Masonic Theatre is gaining good momentum. Retired Chief of Police A.J. Panebianco has agreed to be the moderator for the event. Panebianco grew up in Covington, and attended Alleghany County High School as a Colt and later Alleghany High School as a Mountaineer. Panebianco’s law enforcement career began as a dispatcher and correctional officer for the Covington Police Department before becoming a police officer for the City of Buena Vista, and eventually its Chief of police in 2007. His work with the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and Foundation (VACP) culminated in his election as president of the VACP in 2021. During his time in this leadership role, he worked closely with the Virginia legislature and governors to develop police reforms that balanced citizen protection with effective law enforcement.
He’s a true hometown hero who’s done good.
Come say hello to Chief AJ as he moderates the questions that have come directly from you. By the way, if you haven’t already, please head over to the Virginian Review website and take their 2024 Election Questionnaire. I believe the Questionnaire ends this Friday.
I’m out of time, out of coffee, but will leave you with this little oldie but goodie from Winston Churchill. “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”
