Recently, there have been various incidents that have caused concern with campus security. These events have initiated a variety of responses from administrators, students and faculty.
Events
The first recognized assault occurred on Monday, Sept. 16 on the sidewalk adjacent to Cypress Field when an individual approached and then “forced his hand into [a student’s] pants.”
Two other incidents of inappropriate touching were later reported. After communications with the Brookline Police Department (BPD), the assaulter was identified as a BHS student , and the three cases of assault were determined to be connected.
Administrative response
The high school administration has taken various measures after these events to ensure the safety of the entire community.
Head of School Anthony Meyer said that through the development of each event, the administration has maintained close communication with BPD. Through this partnership, the assailant could be identified.
“The high school administration has been engaged in collaborating with the police about not only ‘How did we respond to this?’ but ‘How do we work together in general?’ because the police clearly have a set of responsibilities; so do we,” Meyer said.
The administration has also moved to increase faculty presence throughout the campus, specifically throughout common passages between buildings. Security personnel also continue to be stationed throughout campus.
“I recognize that events like this and incidents like this unsettle people, that it spurs natural fear, anxiety. I think we try to put in place the appropriate supervision, support, limiting freedom where appropriate to make sure that things like this don’t happen again,” Meyer said.
These events have reinforced pre-existing conversations around having cameras on the exterior of buildings, specifically at entrances. According to Meyer, they are a necessity.
“It’s long overdue for us to have external-facing cameras,” Meyer said. “They are going to deter people when they know that there are cameras outside. You’re unlikely to engage in a fight, you’re unlikely to steal.”
Another tentative conversation from these events is having a School Resource Officer (SRO), a police officer permanently stationed at the high school. There has not been an SRO since 2020, but conversations around re-employing one have risen. Meyer said an SRO would also be specifically and strategically located.
“I think having a police officer in school is generally a positive thing, though [it’s] something to be sensitive to because not everybody has the same perspective on the police or policing,” Meyer said.
Communications
In reaction to these events Meyer has sent out two email communications to students. Given the legal and ethical obligations, there are limits to the scope of communications—both to staff and students—Meyer said.
“There’s not much I can share legally or ethically about another student. And I think that can be hard sometimes because, in the absence of information, people are left to interpret how they may interpret things,” Meyer said.
Sophomore Sophia Morales has stayed informed about recent events through the email communications. She said she wished there had been stronger communication, for example, in the form of an assembly.
“The points I’d want to hear is how they’re going to better protect their students and how they can help us better,” Morales said. “I feel like a lot of people now are really scared about walking around the school, leaving during free blocks, X-blocks.”
Freshman Ria Desai also felt communications could be stronger. She thought advisory would be an appropriate time.
“[I would like to hear about] what you can do if it happens to you or what you should do after, like who you should tell and stuff like that,” Desai said.
Student response
In line with the extent of communications, students and parents, including Morales and her parents, have felt worried about their personal safety.
“P[I worry] a little bit because my parents kind of put that fear into me being like, ‘Oh, you need to be careful.’ You hear all these things going around; it’s always in the back of your head,” Morales said.
Some students and parents have utilized available adult resources and reached out for clarity or to express feelings. Meyer said that he did receive some follow-up emails from students and parents, and some questions that were asked during in-person interactions.
“I was getting emails that were sort of like, what’s happening?” Meyer said. “I try to very politely say, so you can imagine there are pieces of information I can’t share with you, and I believe our campus is safe.”
Assistant Head of School Hal Mason has noticed students being more aware of what is going on around them, and said this is important so that they can report any unexpected behaviors to adults.
“The kids are the ones that are out all the time on the street all the time and see everything far more than adults are going to see. So we’re hopeful that if anything untoward happens, it’s more than likely going to be a kid that’s going to run up to me,” Mason said.
Moving forward
Administrators and school faculty have also worked to make networks of support readily available to all students, Meyer said. He, as well as other administrators, are always willing to listen to people’s specific concerns. And, if anyone experiences unsettling behavior, they should immediately report it to any faculty member.
“If students want to share with their deans or their counselor, ‘You know what, I’m still having this gnawing sense of unease, and it’s impacting me,’ we would want to know so that we can share information as appropriate and put in place supports,” Meyer said.
Mason said that, when possible, reporting and paying attention to detail is very helpful. He said to pay attention to physical details, like height, clothes, complexion and hair.
The recent events on campus have violated the comfort that many have, and Mason said time is key to starting to mend this betrayal of trust.
“I think trust has been violated. It’s just people are a little like, ‘Ooh, it’s so weird, that doesn’t seem right.’ It feels wrong, but I think ultimately kids know and feel safe when they’re here,” Mason said.
Meyer said despite some necessary vagueness in communications, it is important for students to trust that each step has been taken with the safety of everyone in mind.
“I think people sharing what their concerns are is always healthy,” Meyer said. “I think what I would hope is that students realize that their safety is of the greatest importance to me.”
