Keeping schools safe is an important, yet unfortunately recurring, topic across the United States. For Brockton High School, a public institution 24 miles south of downtown Boston, keeping students safe has proven to be a challenge. The Brockton High School news has involved disturbing violence and a lack of safety standards. Yet, a solution has emerged to bring in the Massachusetts National Guard to sort things out. Controversial to say the least, not everyone is on board with this plan. Suggested read: Civil War Movie (2024) Blends Dystopian Action With Current Events

How Big Is Brockton High School?

Brockton High School operates with more than 4,300 students in grades 9th through 12th. It’s a diverse school with many different races and cultures present but unfortunately seems to be lacking by some educational standards. Furthermore, and potentially related, out of all of the high schools in Brockton, MA, the institution is facing safety concerns that are reaching national news for their possible solution. Should the National Guard step in? Some within the community believe that they should. Related read: USS John L. Canley Christened in Honor of Black MOH Recipient

Stabbings, Unauthorized Visitors, and the Deterioration of Safety

In 2023, a Brockton High School stabbing, that also involved a local hospital stabbing, left 3 students hospitalized, and 5 others arrested. Fast forward to 2024, and safety issues continue to mount for the school. Local officials of the school committee are arguing that the Massachusetts National Guard could be a solution to bring back safety by patrolling the halls of Brockton High School. There have been four members of the Brockton School Committee formally asking via a letter to Mayor Robert Sullivan to request Guardsmen from Gov. Maura Healey for the school. According to the committee officials, Ana Oliver, Claudio Gomes, Joyce Asack, and Tony Rodrigues, safety is gone and things are out of control. Educators have noted a lack of safety, particularly after an emergency school committee meeting in January 2024, citing violent incidents while on campus they had faced. Additionally, reports of students wandering the halls, disrupting classes, leaving campus without permission, and individuals entering the school without authorization are among the safety concerns prompting the request. Amplifying the issues of violence and safety is the lack of faculty available. At one point, it was reported that 35 teachers were absent, only adding to the problem. Not everyone is on board with the idea and it has sparked a controversial conversation throughout the community. However, school members advocating for the National Guard believe that it could help. The idea isn’t to bring in troops in uniform. Rather, the plan is to have an organized unit of experienced, educated personnel that can maintain peace and help run Brockton High School safely.

Brockton High School Wouldn’t Be the First School Assignment for the Massachusetts National Guard

The National Guard operates in a wide capacity. Although they are primarily focused on emergencies and defending domestically, Guardsmen also deploy abroad for peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. Still, when stateside, the definition of their service remains broad. This includes a variety of missions after natural disasters and maintaining civil order. However, it also means helping with unconventional problems. The idea of having the Massachusetts National Guard step in at Brockton High School might seem outlandish. However, there have been similar incidents in the state’s history. Back in 2021, then Gov. Charlie Baker had to fix the bus driver shortage in Massachusetts. He did so by activating as many as 250 Guardsmen for the task. Overwhelmingly, the National Guard spent most of its time conducting warfighting missions compared to homeland defense in 2023. So far, an official decision on Brockton High School has yet to be made. Right or wrong, safety is priority one and from a historical perspective, nothing is off the table. Read next: 5 Tips and Tricks to Help You Break More Clay Targets