College Station Witnesses Recent Armed Robberies and School Safety Discussions
College Station has been making headlines recently due to a couple of serious incidents involving armed robberies and important talks about school safety. It’s been quite a whirlwind of events here for residents, so let’s dive into what has been happening!
Armed Robberies at a Local Motel
The local police have arrested two individuals following a string of armed robberies at a motel here in College Station. The first robbery happened on September 8, when a victim reported being threatened with a gun and a taser. According to reports, the suspects were not just after money; they threatened to hurt family members if the victim alerted the police.
Just a day later, things took a turn for the worse. An Uber driver was attacked and struck on the head several times with a gun. Fortunately, the driver was able to remember the phone number used for the ride, and that led the police to a suspect. It turns out that the phone number traced back to 42-year-old Tashawna Franklin who had been staying at the motel.
After digging a bit deeper, investigators also identified a second suspect, 33-year-old Mark Timothy Roberts. Both suspects were arrested last Wednesday, September 18, in the Houston area. At present, they remain in the Harris County jail with their bonds set at $75,000 for Franklin and $30,000 for Roberts, with Roberts also facing a parole revocation.
Prioritizing School Safety
One crucial takeaway was Harkrider’s request to parents to talk with their kids about safety. He urged parents to remind young minds that if they ever feel unsafe, they should immediately inform a teacher or administrator.
Meanwhile, a recent school board meeting for Bryan Independent School District (BISD) also revolved around school safety. Administrators discussed upcoming state inspections of campus security, designed to assess any vulnerabilities. The board members engaged actively in discussions to ensure that needs are met to uphold these new safety standards.
Among other exciting developments, BISD is implementing a new emergency notification system known as the Silent Panic Alarm Technology (SPAT), which aims to improve communication during emergencies. They also highlighted how critical it is for every campus to have a dedicated safe and supportive school team.
Additional Local News
On a different note, police are investigating a troubling incident where a pedestrian was struck by a commercial truck. This accident occurred on Wednesday morning, September 25, west of the Walmart as a 69-year-old man was crossing Longmire Drive. Thankfully, he was transported to a hospital and initial investigations are underway.
Lastly, the College Station City Council recently shared some fascinating statistics about the local Ringer Library. With over 197,000 visitors last year, the library also hosted 514 programs, catering mainly to children and general interest topics. All in all, it has been a busy time for both the city officials and residents alike.
As we navigate through these events together, it’s a good reminder for everyone in College Station to look out for each other and take the necessary steps to ensure safety in our community.
