STATE ATTORNEY DAVE ARONBERG
TO CONVENE GRAND JURY ON SCHOOL SAFETY
In the wake of the mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Palm Beach County State Attorney 
announced that he is convening a Grand Jury on the subject of school safety and preparedness, including active shooter protocols and prevention. Aronberg said that the Grand Jury will evaluate the current system of protecting Palm Beach County students from school violence and examine a wide array of proposals, from developing effective early warning systems and enhancing school security to limitations on assault weapons, more effective background checks and mental health reforms.
announced that he is convening a Grand Jury on the subject of school safety and preparedness, including active shooter protocols and prevention. Aronberg said that the Grand Jury will evaluate the current system of protecting Palm Beach County students from school violence and examine a wide array of proposals, from developing effective early warning systems and enhancing school security to limitations on assault weapons, more effective background checks and mental health reforms.Aronberg noted that the day after 17 people were murdered in Parkland, a student at Palm Beach Lakes High School was arrested for bringing two guns to school. In addition, since the Parkland tragedy, Palm Beach County schools have been the target of a large number of copycat threats on social media. The threats have alarmed parents and school administrators, prompting Aronberg, Palm Beach County School Superintendent Robert Avossa, and Sheriff Ric Bradshaw to warn students of the criminal consequences of making such threats, even in jest.
Just steps from Palm Beach County’s southern border, Parkland “serves as a reminder that no community is immune from school violence,” said Aronberg. “That’s why we need to remain vigilant to ensure that we’re doing everything we can to keep our kids safe.” Aronberg explained that “a Grand Jury is insulated from politics and pressure, which makes it a powerful vehicle to evaluate our current policies and propose changes to make our schools safer,” said Aronberg.
State Attorney Aronberg said that these issues will be brought before the current Grand Jury, and he expects a Presentment with findings and recommendations by June.
This marks the second time since his election in 2012 that Aronberg has used the Palm Beach County Grand Jury to probe an issue of great public importance: In 2016, a Grand Jury investigated fraud and abuse in the drug rehab and sober home industries, which led to major reforms in state law a year later.