Portland police chief upset over armed youths online

PORTLAND – Police Chief Michael Chitwood is concerned about a Web site that showed pictures of youths with guns, saying it must be taken seriously and echoes an atmosphere that led to the Columbine High School tragedy.

Pictures on the Web site showing Portland High School students with weapons, including a .357 Magnum, have been taken down. Some of the students have been suspended from the school for suspected gang activity.

Chitwood said there’s no sign any of the guns were brought on school property, but his department has launched an investigation into illegal firearms possession, drug trafficking and assault involving some students connected to the Web site.

“I want those guns. I want those guns off the street,” said Chitwood, adding that locker searches at the school and checks at three residences failed to turn up the weapons.

“It’s not OK for these individuals to be flaunting deadly weapons like they’re squirt guns,” Chitwood told WCSH-TV. “I’m not going to sit around and wait for a Columbine at Portland High School.”