VIDEO: Police Issue Statement Regarding 'Last Bell' Events

In anticipation of the 'Last Bell' events, Edgar Petrosyan, the Deputy Head of the Public Security Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, visited schools No. 185 and No. 112 in Yerevan with several officers to hold awareness meetings related to the upcoming celebrations. During the meetings with directors and educators, he emphasized the importance of ensuring that customary norms do not supersede legal regulations. In cases of students driving vehicles, violating traffic rules, engaging in conflicts, and other anti-social behaviors, parents will also share responsibility.

This year, the 'Last Bell' will sound in 1,547 educational institutions across Armenia. Elmira Poghosyan, the principal of school No. 185 in Yerevan, highlighted the importance of police-school collaboration. 'We work closely with the police. They often visit the school to check in and fortunately, we haven’t faced serious issues. Regarding the 'Last Bell' events, they have come to visit and met with students, speaking with them informally about staying away from dangers. In my four years of administration, there have been no problems or incidents during the 'Last Bell' or graduation party. Of course, that is also thanks to our law enforcement officers,' she noted.

The police will be on duty not only during the graduation events at schools but also in the vicinity of the festive venues in the evenings, on May 24, as well as on the 25th, 26th, and 27th. Edgar Petrosyan also stressed that the order of actions has been agreed upon in advance with the educational staff. 'We hold preliminary meetings with the educators and children to coordinate our actions. It is important for parents to realize that they are still dealing with minors, and they should not provide them with transportation or allow them to consume alcohol or misuse it.'

During the 'Last Bell' events, the duty of law enforcement is to ensure the safety of students in collaboration with educators and parents, ensuring that the festive atmosphere is not disrupted.