Knife, Pepper Spray Are Found at Meeting

Campus police confiscated a 9-inch folding knife and a small canister of pepper spray from a man attending a South Orange County Community College District board meeting this week.

The seizure came amid tighter security measures in response to controversy surrounding a seminar Trustee Steven J. Frogue proposed last year on the assassination of President Kennedy. The seminar, which involved speakers with uncommon viewpoints, ultimately was canceled.

Police said they spotted the man outside the meeting with an empty knife holder on his belt. He was asked to submit to a search and was cooperative, officials said.

Officers confiscated the weapons and kept the man under observation.

About 150 people attended the meeting Tuesday, with nine campus police officers stationed to maintain order.

“We want people to know they are safe at these meetings and they will not be disrupted for any reason,” campus spokeswoman Pam Zanelli said. “The public, because of our excellent campus law enforcement, will be protected from any incident during board meetings.”