By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- Reports of vandalism overnight in East Lincoln coupled with rumors of supposed "gang violence" have administrators at Lincolnton High School not taking any chances regarding security.

A couple of parents contacted the Lincoln Tribune to report that members of both the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and Lincolnton Police are working security inside and outside the school. At least four parents, meantime, have gone to the Lincolnton Police Department to see whether or not to take their students home from school.

LHS principal Tony Worley confirmed security at the school is beefed-up because of the holiday and the rumors. Worley, however, said students have made much more of the situation than what is actually there.

“There is extra security on hand mostly because of Halloween,” said Worley. “We’ve also heard some rumors, so I’ve worked with both Lincolnton Police Chief Dean Abernathy and Sheriff Tim Daugherty for extra security.”

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Worley said overnight in eastern Lincoln County, East Lincoln High School was broken into and vandalized. According to Worley, the person or persons responsible threw paint on the new gym floor. Other vandalism included painting an activity bus inside and out and burning a porta-john completely to the ground.

The Lincoln Tribune has learned that at least one student text-messaged her parents from her cell phone, stating “I’m scared, come pick me up.” The student reports armed, plain-clothes officers are on site at Lincolnton High School.

Worley said when it comes to any rumors, especially rumors of violence after school; he and his staff aren’t taking any chances.

“Usually, on Halloween and April 20, I try to beef up security,” said Worley, adding April 20 is the date of the Columbine High School shootings in Colorado. “I’d rather err on the side of caution.”

Worley said Lincolnton High School is not on lock down, as students have been allowed to walk around campus. Students could be heard outside during lunchtime.

“We’re having normal activities here today,” said Worley. “I want to assure students and parents both that it’s safe at LHS, we’ve just added extra security.”

Lincoln County Schools’ public information officer Belinda Branson confirmed security was increased at Lincolnton High School because of vandalism issues at Iron Station Elementary, East Lincoln High School and Catawba Springs Elementary School.

At East Lincoln High, someone broke in and painted the new gym floor. Someone also painted the inside and outside of an activity bus. Still, someone burnt down a porta-john at Iron Station Elementary to the ground.

Branson said school officials are taking security measures at all schools one step further than Lincolnton High School.

“All schools will have extra security personnel at all schools Wednesday night,” said Branson. “It’s something we do on a yearly basis.”

According to Lincolnton Police Chief Dean Abernathy, he has eight officers over at the school.

“Some of them are in plain clothes and some of them are in uniform,” said Abernathy. “It’s quiet and peaceful, no problems.”

Abernathy said rumors of students at LHS wearing gang colors are not true.

“It’s rumor, some of the kids are talking,” said Abernathy. “We’re not going to tolerate it in any way and the school’s not going to tolerate it.”