Intruders will be Canned In Alabama

[Joe Guy]

Principal: Let students hurl canned food at intruders
Updated 11:37 am, Tuesday, January 13, 2015

VALLEY, Ala. (AP) — A middle school principal in eastern Alabama wants to stockpile cans of food such as corn and peas in classrooms so that students could hurl them as weapons in a last-resort confrontation with a school intruder.

In a letter Friday, W.F. Burns Middle School Principal Priscella Holley asked parents to have each student bring an 8-ounce canned item.

"We realize at first this may seem odd; however, it is a practice that would catch an intruder off guard," she wrote in the letter, published by TV station WHNT in Huntsville.

"The canned food item could stun the intruder or even knock him out until the police arrive," Holley wrote. "The canned food item will give the students a sense of empowerment to protect themselves and will make them feel secure in case an intruder enters their classroom."

The school is in Valley, Alabama, part of the Chambers County school system.

The letter was sent after school employees received training from Auburn University's Department of Public Safety, Chambers County Schools Superintendent Kelli Hodge told The Associated Press in an interview Tuesday.

The food cans would be stored in classrooms and students wouldn't be carrying them around school, Hodge said.

Using cans or other items as weapons would be a last resort for students unable to evacuate, Hodge told the AP.

Teachers are taught to barricade classroom doors if an intruder is in the school, but if that fails, the cans and items such as textbooks could be used, she said.

"If somebody is going to force their way through, then as the last resort you would start throwing any objects you could get your hands on," Hodge said.

Asked whether throwing cans of food could make a student a target, Hodge said they would already be a target at that point.

"If it comes to the situation that they are forced to do that, then they are a target because they've not been able to evacuate," she said.

If the cans are not needed for security, they will be donated to a local food pantry at the end of the year, Holley told parents.

"We hope the canned food items will never be used or needed, but it is best to be prepared," she wrote.

The request for canned goods has generated much discussion in the community near the Alabama-Georgia line, but there have been few complaints, Hodge said.

"We had a meeting at the school last night to try to educate parents on it because there had been such a stir," Hodge said. About 15 parents showed up and most of the discussion was positive, she said.

source

[Lord Jim]

If canned peas are outlawed, only outlaws will have canned peas..

[Crackpot]

A just punishment in my opinion.

[Joe Guy]

Alabama Student to Intruder: Uh uh. I know what you're thinking. "Did he throw three cans of tuna or just two?" Well to tell you the truth in all this excitement I kinda lost track myself.

But being I have a 3-pack of white albacore tuna in cans, the tastiest tuna in the world and one can would put a big dent in your head, you've gotta ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk?

[wesw]

this just in: 3 students arrested for pointing cans at other students and making opener sounds....

[Lord Jim]

[Econoline]

If canned peas are outlawed, only outlaws will have canned peas..

Give peas a chance.

[wesw]

I ll donate some spinach....,it for the kids after all

[Sue U]

Should be: "VISUALIZE HURLED PEAS."

[MajGenl.Meade]

In Ohiotucky we're a kinder, gentler people. They're drawing up plans for tossed salad

[rubato]

I know we can make it
I know, darn well we can work it out
Oh, yes, we can, I know we can, can
Yes, we can, can, why can't we?
If we wanna, yes, we can, can

I know we can make it work
I know that we can make it if we try
Oh, yes, we can, I know we can, can
Yes, we can great gosh Almighty
Oh, yes, we can, I know we can, can

I know we can make it
I know darn well, we can work it out
Oh, yes, we can, I know we can, can
Yes, we can, can, why can't we?
If we wanna, yes, we can, can

I know we can make it work
I know we can make it if we try
Oh, yes, we can, I know we can, can
Yes, we can great gosh Almighty
Oh, yes, we can, I know we can, can

Oh, yes, we can, I know we can, can
Yes, we can, can, why can't we?
If we wanna, yes, we can, can
Oh, yes, we can, I know we can, can
Yes, we can, can, why can't we?
If we wanna, yes, we can, can

Oh, yes, we can, I know we can, can
Yes, we can, can, why can't we?
If we wanna, yes, we can, can
Oh, yes, we can, I know we can, can
Yes, we can, can, why can't we?
If we wanna, yes, we can, can

the pointer sisters

[MajGenl.Meade]