As violent altercations among students surged at a Shreveport, Louisiana high school, it seemed nobody — not police, campus security nor school officials — could keep the peace. That is, until a group of local fathers took the lead.
Before Michael R. La’Fitte II formed Dads on Duty, a volunteer group of approximately 40 fathers who line the halls of Southwood High School in shifts, a total of 23 students had been arrested for fighting over the course of 72 hours.
DADS ON DUTY: After a violent week of fighting at a Louisiana high school, parents knew something had to change. So, a group of dads decided to show up not just for their kids – but for the whole student body – to help maintain a positive environment. @SteveHartmanCBS has more. pic.twitter.com/Uux3qx48sd
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) October 22, 2021
Not a single violent incident among the high schoolers has been reported since the dads set foot on campus, according to CBS News.
“We’re dads. We decided the best people who can take care of our kids are who? Are us,” LaFitte told CBS News’ Steve Hartman.