Local News

Authorities confiscated a gun from a South Medford High School student after they brought the firearm to campus yesterday.

The Medford Police Department reports the resource officer assigned to the high school was contacted by staff and made aware that they had received a report that a student was in possession of a handgun in their backpack while on campus. The information was brought to school officials' attention by other students.

The School Resource Officer quickly acted to locate the student and learned they had left campus. The SRO and school officials responded to the student's home and -- in cooperation with the parents - recovered the gun at the residence.

According to MPD, the source of the firearm and the circumstances surrounding its possession are under investigation. So far, no arrests have been made.

The Medford School District notified parents of SMHS students about the incident via e-mail, outlining the cooperation with MPD and the importance of students speaking up when they see something suspicious. Parents were urged to encourage their students to "say something if they see something."

MPD officials said cases such as this highlight how important and vital a school resource program can be for safety. The agency provides five full-time officers as SROs -- one at each high school and each middle school. There is also a School Marshal program in which retired officers are hired to work at elementary schools.