A Penn Township alternative school for students with emotional difficulties has been the site of five police incidents this month.

Penn Township police have cited five students at Community School West, which is operated by Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit-13, with charges ranging from disorderly conduct to aggravated assault.

On Feb. 9, a 15-year-old student from Lititz was cited with disorderly conduct following an incident at the school, 1713 Newport Road.

Police said the student allegedly damaged a desk and broke an electrical conduit off the wall. Restitution for damages will be requested, police said.

On Feb. 10, police responded to a call that a 15-year-old Columbia student struck another student in the face.

The student was later cited with harassment following an investigation.

On Feb. 11, staff at the school reported that a student allegedly broke desks and other items.

The 13-year-old Columbia boy was released to the custody of his mother and will be cited with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief. Restitution for the damages will be requested, police said.

On Feb. 12, police returned to the school around 11:26 a.m. to investigate a report that a student from Lititz had allegedly picked up a desk and thrown it at two staff members.

The student was cited for aggravated assault following the incident and was later detained at the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center.

On Wednesday, Feb. 18, a 16-year-old Community School West student was arrested and cited for simple assault. Police said the student allegedly went after another student with a hammer.

Investigators said the school staff intervened and learned the two students never made physical contact.

Charges were forwarded to the Lancaster County Juvenile Probation Office.


Staff writer Carla Di Fonzo can be reached at cdifonzo@LNPnews.com or 481-6027.