By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – More violence erupted at a Buffalo school on Tuesday. A large fight occurred outside Grover Cleveland High School on the West Side. But Buffalo Schools Superintendent James Williams says this incident did not involve students from that school.
A 16-year old female student from Emerson High School was arrested outside Grover Cleveland. Williams says police also arrested one male, age 20 and two females, 21 and 24. The incident happened after students were dismissed for the day. Williams says the fight involved two groups of adults and the teenager who didn't belong at that school. Williams says he learned one group called on cell phones to meet another group outside the school.
"I'm told that the student called the adults," Williams said. "One group called another group and they met at Grover."
Buffalo Police say they believe about 100 people were involved in the fight outside the school.
"Situations like that were outsiders are involved, it can get out of hand," Williams said. "We did have a security guard with mace that was sprayed on him, but I don't think there were any injuries in this situation."
Despite the rash of violence reported at several city schools in recent months, Williams says the numbers of fights involving students actually dropped by 77 from last year. However, he notes there are about four percent of city students involved in altercations.
"And that is why it is so important for us to look at alternative education and some solutions to deal with that three or four percent that are creating some challenges for us," Williams said. "The next thing we are going to do is cross reference and see if these students are repeaters, to see if these youngsters have been in situations before."
Williams also told reporters that the 16-year old teen arrested in Tuesday's fight has a background of serious family problems in recent years. But he also learned that she was doing well in school.