The number of serious incidents reported in Tenn. schools is increasing. MSCS is fighting back.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - More assaults, more guns and more bomb threats are being reported inside Tennessee Schools, according to a state report detailing threats to student and teacher safety statewide.

The report shows the number of serious incidents reported last school year hit a five-year high. More than 1,200 incidents were reported in Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

MSCS is implementing a new security plan to tackle serious incidents.

The Action News 5 Investigators were invited inside Melrose High School to talk about its new safety improvements. The last time the Investigators were at Melrose, it was because Memphis police officers had responded to reports of assaults at that school more than any during the fall 2023 semester.

“We have [new] cameras all throughout our schools,” Carolyn Jackson, Chief of Safety and Security for Memphis-Shelby County Schools, showed us at our visit.

Jackson is in charge of implementing the district’s $50 million safety investment, which includes new cameras outfitted with artificial intelligence that alert school resource officers if someone is in the hallway when they shouldn’t be - even if that person has a weapon.

“Everyone goes into the active shooter drill if that occurs,” Jackson said. The security upgrades also include state-of-the-art metal detectors and x-ray machines.

Jackson believes the new security investments, which, by July, will be complete in more than 70 MSCS schools, should make a difference on the number of serious incidents reported inside Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

A serious incident is defined by the state as one that directly threatens student and teacher safety like a weapon on campus, an assault, or a bomb threat.

Tennessee’s Annual Safe Schools Report shows the number of serious incidents reported during the 2022-2023 school year was the highest statewide since 2018. There were 8,121 serious incidents in the 2021-2022 school year. There were 6,792 incidents reported pre-pandemic in 2018-2019.

In Memphis, 1,244 serious incidents were reported across 153 schools, up from the year prior but down from pre-Pandemic levels.

Because of the new security investments, according to Jackson, the numbers look better for this school year.

“When we look at our fights, our serious fights when we have to get law enforcement involved, our fights are down 9%,” she said. Jackson equates that to about 50 fewer serious incidents this school year.

We do have to take Jackson’s word for it: We requested the data showing the number of serious incidents reported so far this school year after our interview. We were told our request wouldn’t be ready until May 10.

In addition to the physical security upgrades, MSCS has invested in counseling and anger management for students who are involved in serious incidents.

“When a child comes to school and they feel safe, they have their basic needs met, they perform better,” said Dr. Lakira Elliott, Director of Safety for Memphis-Shelby County Schools and leads the team who counsels students involved in serious fights.

Dr. Elliott believes the efforts are paying off.

“It’s safer than it was last year and next year is going to be even safer,” she said. “They’re in a safe environment, they’re learning, and getting the things they need.”

Including at Melrose, where there may be crime in the community outside the school walls, but inside, school officials aim to be crime-free.

The number of police responses is down at Melrose during the spring semester, according to numbers available from MPD.

At least 23 serious incidents were reported to police during the first three months of the fall semester. So far this semester there have been 12.

The Action News 5 Investigators also obtained the number of serious incidents for nearby school districts.

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