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April 14th, 2005
Security to Tighten
at Private Boys' School:
Riot Over Weekend at School for Delinquents Prompts Additional
Guards
By: Quincy Collins
In the wake of the Friday night riot at Eagle Point
Christian Academy, academy officials are negotiating with
Mississippi Security Police to provide security.
Mississippi Security Police, a private Pascagoula
security firm that contracts with Harrison and Jackson counties to
operate juvenile detention centers, has been at the academy since
late Friday after several cadets instigated a riot allegedly to make
the private boarding school look bad for a state inspection.
"Our people are state-certified," said Tony Best, the
company's vice president. "They are taught to deal with juveniles
professionally, not physically. There is a difference."
Eagle Point Christian Academy school administrators
Tuesday were repairing the damage from Friday's riot and making
arrangements to send 20 to 30 cadets home. Academy owner John
Fountain said the seven cadets who orchestrated the riot would not
be allowed to return to the boys' private school.
"We want the safety of the kids to be the first and
foremost, as well as the safety of this community," said Fountain,
who described parents' comments as positive but worried.
Since the riot, nine cadets were sent to the Forrest
County Juvenile Detention Center for disorderly conduct or being
uncooperative. Seven cadets were taken to the hospital with minor
injuries and four cadets ran away. One cadet from California had not
been found as of Tuesday.
No allegations of abuse were made during the riot and
sheriff's officials have not been asked by the state Department of
Human Services to interview cadets, George County Sheriff Garry
Welford said.
Best said his company and academy officials are
assessing the security and personnel needs.
A contract could happen later this week.
If not, Mississippi Security Police would remain at
the academy until another security firm is contracted, he said.
The academy's night staff includes eight to 10
employees to watch over the 122 cadets ages 12 to 17.
"We can definitely learn from this," Fountain said.
"I think it shows the seriousness of the school. It takes mistakes
to see how to fix mistakes."
Fountain said in addition to security
recommendations, he hopes to eventually incorporate drug and alcohol
counseling, and youth ministry and community involvement in the
academy's program.
The private school for delinquent boys, formerly
known as the Bethel Boys Home, has a history of allegations of
abuse. The school operates under a Chancery Court decree and is
monitored.
Welford and Lucedale Mayor Dayton Whites said their
main concern is the community's safety.
"I think the community in general and we as city
fathers have a responsibility to ensure the citizens are safe," said
Whites, who received three calls from residents whom felt threatened
by the riot. "Something has to be done."
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