
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 15, 1994                   TAG: 9403150094
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS                                LENGTH: Short

SCHOOLS' ANTI-GUN EFFORT APPEARS TO BE EFFECTIVE

So far this school year, no guns have been found in the Newport News city schools. If the trend continues, it will mark a first in at least five years.

This is the second year in a row that reports of guns are down in Newport News schools, officials said. In the 1992-93 school year, three guns were found, down from an all-time high of 14 the year before.

"We'll keep our fingers crossed that everybody is going to be safe," said Barbara Jones, the school system's director of administrative services.

Jones said the school system has cracked down on weapons through "an intensive effort" to educate students about the dangers and consequences of bringing weapons to schools.

Officials said that fewer reported guns do not necessarily mean fewer guns in schools; students could just be doing a better job of hiding them.

But Jones said most forbidden items found at schools, such as weapons, drugs, and beepers, are found because students turn other students in.

"If guns are being brought to school, students are certainly keeping good secrets," she said. "We really do believe there are fewer weapons."

by CNB