Compton : Gang Threat Affects School

A threat of gang violence Feb. 6 prompted Los Angeles County education officials to evacuate 30 to 40 handicapped students from classes at Vanguard Junior High School, officials confirmed yesterday. Compton Unified School District officials disagreed with the county’s decision and did not excuse the roughly 670 other students who attend the school just west of the Compton city limits. The school day was completed without incident, security officials said. Police had reported that two gang factions were threatening to war throughout the city.

The county Office of Education administers special education classes in Compton and other districts. County spokesman Judy Rambeau acknowledged that Compton officials were disturbed by the implication that the students were not in a safe setting. “We just have some different things to think about,” Rambeau said. “A judgment was made and it’s too bad it offended the Compton people.”