SHERMAN OAKS : Graffiti Incite Call for More School Security
Calls for police protection, more supervision and security fencing have come from parents worried about an outbreak of graffiti at Millikan Middle School.
On Monday night, the frustration was shared by parents, teachers and administrators who met to study ways to provide more security at the school.
Besides the recent string of vandalism, in which walls were marred, fires set and property destroyed, teachers said there is a chronic problem of students leaving the campus, and non-students coming onto the campus at 5041 Sunnyslope Ave.
School principal David Almada said the situation is not out of hand and is not unique to Millikan.
“I don’t want anybody to think that this school is out of control between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3:05 (p.m.),” Almada said. “And we have to look at the problems Millikan has within the context of societal problems.”
Teachers said the main problem on the campus is lack of supervision.
“At lunch time,” one teacher said, “we’ve got 10 adults supervising 1,600 students--I don’t know how the district can feel safe with that ratio.”
Almada said he we would forward the requests to the district, but was unsure of what action would be taken.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
