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LCS Continues to Reduce Violence

Posted Date: 11/18/25 (10:07 AM)
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Leon County Schools Continues to Reduce Violence Through Strong Partnerships and Proven Prevention Strategies




Leon County Schools recently convened a districtwide safety workshop to address concerns following a series of weapons seizures early in the school year. While the headlines can be alarming, the data tells a very different story: violence in our schools is significantly decreasing, thanks to a coordinated effort among district departments and key community partners—including the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD), the Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

The workshop brought together leaders from each agency to review progress and outline next steps in the district’s comprehensive Safety and Violence Prevention Initiative. Their message was clear: targeted interventions, collaboration, and early prevention are working.

A Three-Year Decline in School Violence

Chief Jimmy Williams presented updated data showing a dramatic reduction in major incidents since the launch of the district’s Safe Schools Initiative in December 2022. The introduction of Florida’s first weapons-detection dog, combined with improved reporting and prevention strategies, has helped drive down incidents across all categories.

Three-Year Trend in Key Safety Indicators

Incident Type 2022–2023 2023–2024 2024–2025 Three-Year Change
Weapons Seizures 65 41 27 58% Decrease
Simple Batteries 1,041 761 681 34% Decrease
Fights 534 408 408 24% Decrease

As of November 17, 2025, schools have recorded only 10–11 weapon seizures this year—a positive continuation of the downward trend.

How Multi-Agency Partnership Is Driving Results

The School Violence and Gun Prevention Workgroup meets regularly to align strategies across multiple agencies and support systems. Each partner brings unique strengths to the district’s prevention efforts.

School Resource Unit (LCSO)

The Sheriff’s Office continues to be a frontline partner on campus by:
  • Providing early interventions in partnership with TPD and the Council on the Status of Men and Boys
  • Referring students for civil citations and community service to avoid criminal charges when appropriate
  • Connecting students to services such as anger management through community providers
  • Supporting diversion programs like “Back on Track,” which is currently paused due to federal funding challenges

Tallahassee Police Department (TPD)

TPD’s Community Relations Unit offers an extensive roster of youth programs, from “Officer Friendly” to anti-bullying education, and collaborates with groups like the Tallahassee Urban League and FAMU’s Firearm-Related Violence Initiative. Additional efforts include:
  • “Lock It or Lose It,” a campaign aimed at reducing gun thefts from unlocked vehicles
  • Police Athletic League mentoring programs
  • Youth engagement initiatives such as the “Here for You Art Contest”

Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)

FDLE works closely with the district’s behavioral threat assessment team—implemented locally a full year before it became a statewide requirement. Their support includes:
  • Preventative threat assessment to intervene before violence occurs
  • Vetting and analyzing tips from “Fortify Florida” to separate credible threats from hoaxes
  • Enhancing the district’s capacity to respond quickly and accurately to safety concerns

Council on the Status of Men and Boys

Led by Royal King, the council works directly with School Resource Deputies to provide interventions for students showing early warning signs. Their initiatives include:
  • A summer program for 113 high-risk students, supported by family incentives and ongoing 90-day check-ins
  • A new mentoring program housed at the Sheriff’s Office, with strong demand—Sheriff McNeil is personally mentoring a student
  • A Gun Violence Assembly scheduled for December 12 at Griffin Middle School

District Departments Supporting Prevention and Student Success

Mentoring Programs

Under the leadership of Kelly Walker, the district partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters, 100 Black Men, United Way, Omega Lamplighters, and others to engage students in meaningful mentorship. Research shows that 75% of mentored youth credit these relationships with shaping their long-term success.

Intervention Services

Recognizing the strong connection between attendance and safety, the Intervention Services team has eliminated the number of students listed as “Did Not Enter,” reducing that number from 486 to zero. The team also provides alternatives for overage students, including GED pathways.

Mental Health Services

Assistant Superintendent Tanja Fitzgerio highlighted the essential role of school-based mental health professionals in addressing the root causes of behavior. Trauma-informed responses and the use of the Florida Harm Prevention Instrument allow staff to identify supports early and prevent escalation.

Next Steps: Strategic Solutions and Community Engagement

The district and its partners outlined several priorities moving forward:
  • Early Intervention: Increased focus on students in grades K–3 to build long-term patterns of safety and engagement.
  • Greater Law Enforcement Presence: Additional uniformed officers at key bus stops during morning and afternoon routes.
  • Expanding Reporting Tools: Continued promotion of “Fortify Florida” and “922 Kids,” which generated more than 9,000 student tips last year—a sign of growing trust in the reporting system.
  • Improved Public Communication: Board members emphasized the need to more effectively share the district’s successes, as public perception is often shaped by high-profile incidents rather than the steady, measurable improvement happening in schools every day.
Leon County Schools remains committed to ensuring safe, supportive, and high-quality learning environments for every student. The data is clear: collaboration works. As the district continues strengthening partnerships and investing in prevention, students are benefiting from safer campuses and a community united around their well-being.