Published: March 13, 2008 11:58 am      

Messages lead to police presence

CUMBERLAND - When all is said and done, everyone has to learn to live together in peace and harmony - regardless of how they feel about each other.

That's the message William AuMiller, superintendent of the Allegany County Public School System, is trying to convey as the area, particularly Fort Hill High School, deals with racial tensions that have come to light over the last week.

Wednesday brought another round of concern but didn't result in any problems.

Tension rose earlier in the day when students who were not in school apparently text-messaged some students in school on their cell phones about a fight that would happen at dismissal. Some who received the message called their parents, some of whom picked up their children at school.

AuMiller said Fort Hill Principal Steve Lewis addressed students and staff over the public address system and assured them the school was safe.

Cumberland Police Chief Charles Hinnant said by the time students verbally passed the message, it escalated to the point where weapons would be involved.

"It took on its own life," he said. "Obviously, we didn't take it lightly."

Hinnant said officers maintained a stronger than normal presence at the school, especially during dismissal. The 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift was held over with additional officers from the 3 to 11 p.m. shift called in to make sure "enough overlap" was available.

"There were no problems today," he said. "We just did it as a precautionary measure that we took to ensure the student's safety and that of the faculty and visitors."

A police presence is expected to continue until matters settle.

Some students have complained in recent days that they have been subjected to racist remarks including statements from MySpace.com. The flying and wearing of the Confederate flag by other students also has aggravated the situation.

A meeting Monday at the Metropolitan AME Church in Cumberland brought about 60 people to the table to discuss the problem.

AuMiller said he wants to determine "what's brought it to this point" in the hopes that the healing process can begin and to "get things back on track."

"This is not a clean issue where one side is right and one side is wrong," he said. "We need to step back and re-evaluate the respective positions in a peaceful manner."

AuMiller added that the board will deal with those involved and they will be held accountable and dealt with in the "most severe manner."

Earlier in the day, AuMiller briefed Hinnant, Lt. Craig Robertson of the Allegany County Sheriff's Office, Capt. James Pyles, commander of the Western Troop of the Field Operations Bureau for the Maryland State Police and representatives from the State's Attorney's Office and Board of Education about what's been happening related to the racial incidents.

"It's in everyone's best interest for this to die down sooner rather than later," AuMiller said. "The last thing anyone wants to see is someone get hurt. ... I don't expect everyone to love each other but we need to be tolerant and live in harmony."

Contact Maria Smith at msmith@times-news.com.



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