VENTURA : Street to Be Closed for Student Safety

In the first official reaction to the fatal stabbing of a popular Ventura High School student, city officials Monday decided to close a section of Poli Street to prevent drive-by shootings at the campus.

No incidents of that type have ever occurred at the campus, but city and school officials say the move is a necessary precaution. Poli Street cuts through the campus, and school officials have long contended that the street is a safety hazard to students, who frequently jaywalk across the heavily traveled road to get to classes on the other side of campus.

Ventura Unified School District Supt. Joseph Spirito said past attempts to close the road between Catalina Street and Seaward Avenue have failed because of worries over traffic problems. Poli Street is one of Ventura’s major roads, and closing part of it would increase traffic on Main Street, he said.

City staff estimate that about 9,000 cars a day use that part of Poli Street.

Since Jesse Strobel was found last month with a fatal knife wound several blocks from campus, relatives and friends have pressured police, school and city officials to curb Ventura’s gang problem.

“I believe it’s a very wise move on the part of the school and the city,” said Wendi Strobel, Jesse’s aunt. “The campus is not secure with that street being open. They could do a drive-by by that school and wipe out a lot of people.”

The closure will begin next week, Mayor Gregory L. Carson said. The street will be closed temporarily for 30 days, and city officials will hold a public hearing after the trial period to decide whether to close it permanently, Carson said.

City, school and police officials also are scheduled to join residents and community leaders at a public meeting Wednesday to discuss how to address the city’s gang problem. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Ventura Theater, 26 S. Chestnut St.