Minor Vandalism, Threats Lead Surge in School Crimes

The number of crimes reported at two Santa Clarita Valley school districts rose sharply last year, but most of the incidents involved minor vandalism or verbal threats by students against other students, school officials said.

The William S. Hart Union High School District recorded 450 crimes in the 1988-89 school year, a 74% increase over 259 reported the year before.

But Joe Andrews, who compiles the data as director of personnel and pupil services, said Tuesday that the figures do not reflect a steady upward trend because the 259 crimes reported in 1987-88 were lower than the 305 incidents reported in 1986-87.

The statistics on crimes, which can range from assault and robbery to vandalism and substance abuse, were released by the state Department of Education.

About half of the crimes reported last year in the Hart district’s high schools and junior high schools involved verbal threats. District officials said campus crowding produces tensions that spark conflicts among students.

The Saugus Union Elementary School District reported 84 crimes, up from 53 the year before. Saugus School Board President Peggy Marrone attributed the increase to the growing number of students coming from metropolitan Los Angeles.

But Marrone also said 54 of the crimes in Saugus were acts of vandalism that caused $3,500 in damage to school property. There were no violent assaults.