L.A. Schools Increase Patrols After Rumors

The Los Angeles Unified School District on Wednesday said it was going to beef up patrols at some campuses today because of persistent rumors of possible racial unrest tied to Cinco de Mayo.

Officials stressed that they have no evidence to suggest the rumors are true but are acting out of an abundance of caution.

Some schools’ principals sent home letters with students this week informing them of the rumors and outlining the precautions.

For example, parents at one West Los Angeles middle school received a letter saying that there would be more police patrols and that the campus would be locked during the day.

LAUSD Police Chief Alan Kerstein urged parents and students to go about their normal routines.

“Don’t let your children’s education be impeded by somebody who started a rumor.... All of us ought not to let our lives be guided by rumors,” he said. “School is open, and the schools will be even safer than on a regular day.”

Kerstein said his department had been hearing the rumors of possible violence between black and Latino students for several days but could find nothing to give them credence.

“No one has an idea where any of this started,” he said. “Parents can be sure that there is no substance anyone can find.”

Still, some parents said they were mulling whether to keep their children home.

The rumors come after a series of racial brawls at several high schools across Southern California.