LAS CRUCES - The good news is, the knife fight didn't happen. The bad news, however, was that both Picacho Middle School students appeared to have come to school ready for it.

Nicholas Bravo, a 14-year-old eighth-grader, and 13-year-old Justin Barela, a sixth-grader, have been criminally cited for carrying deadly weapons at school, apparently in preparation for a fight between rival gangs. Both boys separately told officials they had armed themselves "for protection." They could face expulsion.

It's not an isolated case, either.

On Dec. 17, Mayfield High School student Clayton Segura was jailed at the juvenile detention center after being found in possession of a folding knife, a 4-inch piece of metal and a foot-long metal "home made shank, pointed sharp," according to the Las Cruces Police Department. Segura was cited for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and carrying a deadly weapon, after an anonymous source came forward to administration.

LCPD has investigated 57 cases of students carrying deadly weapons at school in 2010, the same number as in 2009, according to department spokesman Dan Trujillo.

"It's a society issue," said Las Cruces Public Schools security director Todd Gregory. "It's every element - parents, schools, citizens ... it's everyone's issue."

School administration and security told Las Cruces police they stopped the two Picacho boys before they were about to get in a fight in the cafeteria bathroom Dec. 13. Two concerned students had

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tipped off a school security officer that both boys might have knives. Indeed, Barela was allegedly found with a plastic case full of 2.5-inch box cutter blades, and told officials Bravo and his friends had been threatening violence for weeks, according to the police report.

Police noted that Barela was dressed in gang colors at the time of the incident.

"That's how you prevent serious incidents from getting out of control," Gregory said.

Ashley Meeks can be reached at (575) 541-5462.

Tips for students

•Talk openly and honestly with your parents and teachers about your mistreatment.

•Don't let those who bully you make you feel bad. Remind yourself of your positive characteristics. Keep in mind; it is the bully that has issues, not you.

•Never fight back, but let the bully know you are not an easy target. Stay calm, and tell the bully with confidence and determination to "Stop it!" and to "Leave me alone." Or, you might say, "No! You can't have my pencil. I need it." Then walk off with confidence. Don't stand there.

•If possible, always walk with friends - never alone.

•Take a good honest look at yourself. Is there something you need to change about yourself?

•Tell an adult when you see someone being mistreated

Tips for parents

•First, ask yourselves: "Is my child doing something or wearing something that might be encouraging mistreatment?" Once again, no one deserves to be bullied, but sometimes there are changes that the victim needs to make.

•Advise your child to inform a teacher. Then follow-up with the teacher. Partner with the school staff to address the issue.

•Help school officials by keeping a log of the bullying events: When, where, who (including witnesses), what happened.

•Ask an older student to mentor your child. Mentoring can be effective.

•Do not call the bully's parents unless you are certain they will believe you and try to address the problem in a way that will not make the situation worse for your child.

Source: Las Cruces Public Schools