5 Teenagers to Be Charged in Classroom Attack

Five suspected gang members are to be charged today with assault for their alleged roles in an attack at a Pacific High School continuing-education classroom, authorities said Wednesday.

The teenage boys--a 15-year-old and four 16-year-olds--also are to be charged with battery on school grounds and participation in a criminal street gang, Deputy Dist. Atty. Rhonda Schmidt said.

Each of the teens, who remain in custody at Juvenile Hall, could face up to seven years with the California Youth Authority if convicted on all charges, Schmidt said. Prosecutors have not decided whether to file charges against a sixth youth--age 17--who also was arrested following the incident.

The boys, who have not been identified by authorities because of their ages, are suspected of storming into a classroom at the Ventura Boys & Girls Club about 8:25 a.m. Monday and beating a 16-year-old over the head with a chair. The victim received a 2-inch gash to his forehead that required stitches.

The attack came on the heels of a Feb. 25 incident in which Montalvo gang members smashed a window of a Buena High School bus, injuring three students.

Although investigators believe the incidents are not related, the violent episodes prompted city leaders and school officials to meet Wednesday to discuss what they can do to curb gang activity.

But the closed-door meeting among Mayor Jim Friedman, City Manager Donna Landeros, Police Chief Richard Thomas, Ventura schools Supt. Joseph Spirito and school board President John Walker produced no concrete ideas, the participants said.

“It’s a problem of epidemic proportions, not just in this city, but throughout the county, the state and the nation,” Walker said.

The city leaders decided to conduct another private meeting Monday--this time with Dist. Atty. Michael Bradbury and county Supervisor Susan Lacey to discuss how the county can help crack down on gang members.

“Right now, if we arrest gang members and they get a slap on the wrist by the judicial system and they’re out in four to five days, what good have we done?” Friedman asked.

In the meantime, Walker said, the school board probably will take up a proposal Tuesday to expel students who flash gang signs on school grounds or on buses.

“We need to put a policy in place where gang signs are equivalent to bringing a gun on campus,” he said.