by Garth Meyer
Redondo Unified School District Dec. 27 announced its security plans for this week’s return to school after two students were arrested with handguns in December.
Superintendent Nicole Wesley and Redondo Beach Police reported no evidence of violence planned against the RUHS campus or its students, teachers nor administration. No further guns were discovered in the investigation – which included RBPD searches at various locations in town and the surrounding area.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office has filed criminal charges against the sophomore boys who brought a gun to school. The specific counts were not revealed since the suspects are juveniles.
When RUHS classes resumed after Christmas Jan. 3, Redondo police met students with increased uniformed officers. Students now use four entry/exit points at the school – the three spots allowed in later December, and the Vincent Gate entrance. An RBPD officer will stand at each point in the mornings, through Jan. 12. A search dog will also appear at random entrances and times. School resource officers remain on their regular schedule.
A third-party security firm is at work at the high school through Jan. 19, after which the district will increase hours for its part-time campus supervisors.
Further measures include random searches of lockers and backpacks with police dogs.
Temporary metal detectors at the high school have been removed – used from Dec. 7 until Winter Break.
“It was a short-term response to give the district time to learn more about whether or not there was a threat to RUHS through the RBPD investigation,” said Superintendent Wesley.
The school has a special app/website named Sprigeo, which anonymous tips may be reported.
“As a community, we must continue to remind students and adults to say something if they see or hear anything that is concerning,” Wesley said. ER
