Classroom crime is on the rise

Damming report from North Carolina education officials.

by: STAFF

School violence and crime have sharply increased in the past two years, education leaders confirmed yesterday during the March State Board of Education meeting.

The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) reports 11,170 crimes committed in schools during the 2021-2022 school year in its Consolidated Data Report.

It's a nearly 17% jump from pre-pandemic levels.

These crimes saw the largest increases over 2018-2019, according to DPI:

Weapon Possession: + 60%

Firearm & Explosives Possession: + 30%

Drug Possession: + 14%

In prekindergarten through fifth grade, crimes are alarmingly prevalent. There were 614 reports of weapons possession and 13 reports of firearm possession in elementary schools. A total of 59 reports of drug possession were filed. Most surprising was the fact that 495 reports of assaults on school personnel came from these lower grades.

DPI's findings noted that two of the reportable crimes — rape and indecent liberties involving a minor — went unreported in the 2021-2022 school year. The disturbing reporting trend can also be seen in the years 2018-19.

The following ten public school districts saw the biggest jumps in reported crimes from 2018-19 to the 2021-22 school year: