Deputies to Help Ease Fears at High School

Sheriff’s deputies will be posted today at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo to help dispel rampant rumors of an imminent Littleton-type shooting at the campus, administrators told students in a memo Thursday.

According to the memo from Principal Dan Burch, school personnel will be stationed at every entrance, every locker will be searched, and metal detectors will be used to make sure that no weapons are brought on campus.

“The rumors are unfounded and untrue,” Burch said in the memo, distributed to his staff and some of the 3,000 students. “However, I know how concerned many of you are. Remember that these measures are only being taken to calm your fears about school.”

Some students seemed to be taking the rumors seriously. One, who asked that his name not be used, said he had been hearing stories for a week about a “hit list” of high schools posted on the Internet. Capo Valley was third on the list, according to the rumors, he said, behind Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., where two armed students killed 13 and themselves last week.

“I’ve heard that from seven people who don’t know each other,” the student said Thursday night. “Parents were calling the principal and asking about it. I’m scared a little--it makes me think that anything could happen here.”

Because of his concerns, the student said, he stayed home from school Thursday and planned to do so today.

The student’s father said, “I don’t put a whole lot of credence in the rumors, but if I’m going to make a mistake, I’d rather err on the side of safety and prudence.”

Rumors may have been fueled by the arrest this week of a 15-year-old Capo Valley student suspected of planting a note warning of an explosive device on campus. The student was released to his parents and expelled, officials said.

Principal Burch’s memo appeared to be having the desired effect late Thursday. One person who had read the notice said, “I think Capistrano Valley High School will be a very safe school tomorrow, maybe the safest in the country.”

Some students said they did not put much stock in the rumors.

“I think the principal is acting in the best interests of the students,” a 16-year-old said. “I kind of have strong feelings about going to school tomorrow. I have a lot of friends who aren’t going, but I think it just adds to the paranoia by not showing up.”

The principal’s memo asked students to cooperate with efforts to calm fears by not wearing long coats or baggy clothes to school. The two students in Littleton who killed 12 of their classmates and a teacher were wearing long black trench coats.