Property Crimes Cost Schools $23 Million in 1985-86

Vandalism, theft and arson cost California’s public schools more than $23 million during the 1985-86 school year, with junior high schools reporting the highest crime rates, according to a new state report.

The first study on public school violence, drawn from reports by 95% of California’s 1,026 school districts, resulted from a 1984 law requiring schools to gather statistics and forward them to the state Department of Education. That law stems from the “Victims’ Bill of Rights,” an initiative passed in 1982 giving students the right to safe, secure schools.

Rural Lassen County, with only 4,401 pupils, was listed as having 99.4 crimes per 1,000 students from July 1, 1985, through June 30, 1986. The lowest was Tehama County, with 7.3 crimes per 1,000 students.

Los Angeles County reported 27.1 crimes per 1,000 students, Sacramento County 65.6 and San Francisco 32.1.

‘Conservative Estimate’

Mary Weaver of the state Education Department said some smaller districts may show higher crime rates because they are more aware of crime and consequently tend to report a higher percentage of incidents. But she said that overall she thought the number of reported incidents--162,734 during 1985-86--was a “conservative estimate.”

The study said 85% of the crimes reported were committed by students, and 76% of the 2,996 assaults against school employees were committed by students during school hours.

Also, the report said the highest rates of extortion, sex offenses, possession of knives and explosives and assault against students were found at junior high, or middle, schools.

Overall cost of property damage was estimated at more than $23 million, with vandalism the most prevalent single crime, costing $7.7 million.

There were 15 reported homicides, two involving students as victims and one occurring on campus during the day. The others included bodies dumped on campuses and murders of adults committed by adults not connected with the schools.