From the Hotline

By Teri Henning
Pennsylvania Newspaper Association

Q: What records can I get regarding weapon or drug related incidents at schools? 

A: Under the Safe Schools Act, 24 P.S. 13-1301-A et seq., schools are required to report all incidents involving acts of violence, possession of a weapon or possession, use or sale of a controlled substances, or possession, use or sale of alcohol or tobacco by any person on school property, at least once a year, to the Office for Safe Schools (an office within the Department of Education). This information is in summary form, but includes, among other things, the age/grade of the student involved, the name and address of the school, and the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Department of Education makes this information (for prior years) available on its web site. You should be able to get more current information from individual school districts.

With respect to police records, many law enforcement records relating to juveniles are confidential. You may be able to obtain some information, however, when the criminal charges filed against a minor involve certain crimes of violence. Police incident reports that relate to individuals who are 18 and older are public records under Pennsylvania law. In addition, police incident reports that relate to summary offenses brought against minors should be public.