BUENA PARK : Conferees Differ on Campus Security

More than 400 educators and law enforcement officials who gathered here Thursday to discuss violence on school campuses agreed that the problem has escalated but disagreed on solutions such as metal detectors.

“Isn’t it better to know that they are at least searching the school for weapons than be in fear that a student may have a gun in his backpack?” Chief Deputy Atty. Gen. Dave Stirling said. “Isn’t it better than having a student hurt on campus?”

But Alex Rascon Jr., director of police for San Diego Unified School District, disagreed.

“I don’t believe in metal detectors. It’s a false sense of security,” Rascon said. “They’re offensive, labor intensive and a short-term solution, and I don’t think the public should be duped in thinking that it’s the best way to go.”

The conference, sponsored by the Southern California Juvenile Officers’ Assn., was attended by law and education officials from throughout the state.

Although Orange County’s problem is not as severe as Los Angeles’, officials agreed, guns have appeared on campuses.

“I think we’d be remiss to say we don’t have a problem,” said Don Morrison, assistant principal at Fullerton High School. “Guns have become so prevalent that we need to be more aware of kids bringing guns to campuses.” Last September, a 15-year-old student was killed in a gang-related shooting near the school, he said.

Barbara Baiz, Buena Park Police Department’s gang prevention adviser, also said ensuring that campuses are safe is an issue that can’t be ignored.

“It’s a problem that’s increasing and we need to do something now before the problem gets worse,” Baiz said. “Because here in Orange County, we don’t know how to handle it.”

Morrison said over the last five years there has been a “definite increase” in the number of weapons brought to schools, and metal detectors could become a last resort.

“I think it’s a strong possibility,” Morrison said. “The level of concern about student safety is as high as it’s ever been.”