Walter Johnson’s staff is working daily to protect students in light of two gang-related crimes that occurred this summer. Both were stabbings at Spingbrook High School and Wheaton Plaza involving Montgomery County students.

Principal Christopher Garran was “disturbed” to hear about the MS-13 gang activity at Springbrook. “The MS-13 gang involved in the Springbrook incident haven’t really gone on campus that much, so it was shocking to hear that they fought on school grounds,” Garran said.

The gang-related stabbings at Springbrook and Wheaton Plaza are serious incidents that aren’t intimidating to the security staff crew at WJ. Security staff member Corey Robinson said, “It’s never the same day that you are faced with so you have to always be on guard. If you’re intimidated by issues like this, than this is not the job for you.”

Security Leader Lisa Kennedy said, “Staff should be aware of any little thing they see like graffiti on backpacks and desks, and students wearing bandanas.” To help stop the violence, security at WJ is often informed by teachers or students about information linked to gangs to help stop the violence. The security’s daily routine is to make sure WJ is a safe environment. They do this by patrolling hallways, making sure doors are locked, and being in school an hour prior to the students. There is an overlapping security team to check the inside and outside of the school perimeter, as well.

The issues that security handles on a daily basis deal with making sure students and staff are safe, but what security cherishes the most about their job is interacting with students. “We chose this job because of having the opportunity to work with teenagers. We are here for the kids,” Kennedy said.

This year, administration and security’s goals include being more visible. The hope is with increased visibility, security will be able to prevent incidents. [See sidebar for more information]. In addition to WJ security, an undercover detective observes Georgetown Square near WJ to check out drug activity.

To protect the school, WJ has several standard Montgomery County measures that are taken in case of any kind of issue. The staff follows Code Blue or Code Red procedures, and an evacuation plan is set up in case an emergency occurs inside the school.

Garran sent a letter home at the beginning of school to parents in the community to inform them about the gang-related incidents of this summer. Garran, along with principals of Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Whitman, and Wheaton High School, met with Wayne Jerman, Commander of the Montgomery County Police, to discuss further safety measures on September 19th.

When asked if they know of any gang members attending WJ, Garran and security replied with “No comment.”