Knife incident reported at Cleveland High School

Published 12:00 am Sunday, October 27, 2024

By DAVID F. ASHTON
For THE BEE

Officers from the Central Precinct, downtown, remained at Cleveland High looking into the incident for some hours in the afternoon.

Police responded to the report an incident on Wednesday afternoon, September 25th, at Cleveland High School, involving a weapon. When Central Precinct officers arrived, they learned several people had been chasing a student, according to a Portland Police Bureau spokesperson. It was unclear why there was a chase or who was doing the chasing.

However, the student was holding a knife, claiming it was for self-defense, and ran into the school for safety and dropped the weapon, police said. Officials said there was no longer a threat, and no one was hurt.

“Officers and PPS staff are attempting to identify all parties involved,” reported PPB Public Information Officer Mike Benner at the time. And nothing much of substance has been reported since.

Cleveland High School Principal JoAnn Wadkins later that day sent a letter to the school community, saying, in part, “Earlier today, a group of young people were reportedly chasing one of our students outside our building during lunch. The student ran inside to seek help, and school staff called 911. We confiscated a kitchen knife that was in his possession, and quickly deescalated the situation. No one was hurt.

“My main priority as Principal is to ensure a safe learning environment for every Cleveland student and staff member, and my administration and I work hard each day to maintain a school culture that promotes mutual respect for everyone’s physical and emotional well-being.

“Threatening, intimidating, and bullying behavior is not tolerated at our school. The Portland Police Bureau are currently investigating the incident to determine who exactly was involved in the altercation outside the building, and we will be following all existing policies and procedures in handling this incident and its aftermath.”

Wadkins also said counselors and supportive school staff members were available for students who might’ve witnessed the incident and became upset, and wanted to talk to somebody.

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