Atlanta school officials say no school district firearms have gone missing, contrary to the claims of an anonymous tipster who reported that 30 weapons were stolen from a school vehicle in May.
The district acknowledged poorly maintained records but said all of the 90 firearms purchased for the newly established Atlanta Public Schools Police Department were immediately accounted for. The department officially came into existence on July 1, replacing Atlanta Police Department officers who previously patrolled the schools.
“While APS investigators determined that inventory and purchase records for the safety and security department were historically not well maintained, the district was able to account for all guns purchased since 2004,” the district said in a statement Monday.
The district has had weapons since its first “in-house” police program in 2004, the statement said. After the tip, officials interviewed potential witnesses and reviewed inventory documents, receipts and finance records. Though APS has concluded its investigation, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has not.
The APS conclusion was telegraphed in June when Superintendent Meria Carstarphen said there was no evidence that the June 14 tip was accurate, though, she said, "This is the stuff that keeps me up at night." At that time, the district provided purchasing records for 106 guns.
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