Some Dater High School students have reported that classmates are robbing and assaulting them on Metro buses and at the bus stop.
One group of students, in particular, have reported the attacks: students whose families have migrated to the city to escape violence in Central America. Now parents and advocates say they’re worried about their safety here, among classmates.
“I heard one kid ended up with a bloody face, taking their phones, taking their money,” said Nancy Sullivan, with Transformations CDC. She’s working as an activist for the children who have reported the assault crimes they said were committed. She’s speaking for the parents of the children because many of them are too afraid to go on camera.
The students being targeted don’t always speak much English, and many of them also work jobs after school to help their parents and siblings.
“So they have cash, and that makes a very easy target,” said Sullivan.
Metro is funded by taxpayers, who provide more than $10 million a year to bus high school students to their classes. The contract differs from standard yellow buses, which also often offer more protection and adult supervision. WCPO has requested the video of incidents involving Dater High School students on Metro buses, and the district said they’re also working on getting those videos.
