Bringing Security to Campuses

Campus safety was a main issue for Sonora High senior Laura McNabb when she ran for the student seat on the Fullerton Joint Union High School District board.

“I’ve always felt safe at school,” she said, “but after Columbine and Arkansas, you had to wonder if maybe any school could be a platform for violence.”

McNabb got elected and went to work. She organized a district-sponsored campus safety seminar last week for student leaders, staff and PTA officials from its seven high schools.

A couple of themes emerged:

Students want to see faculty and administrators more visible on campus. Plus, student leaders are convinced tensions among students can be reduced if they simply got to know each other better.

Faculty and staff members were urged to spend more time on the grounds during the noon hour, or just to show up unannounced at ballgames or school events.

“The more we get to know these teachers, the more likely we’ll confide in them when we become aware of a problem,” said Brian Johnson, a Fullerton senior.

Two terrific ideas that most schools said they wanted to try:

* Sunny Hills High, listed as the safest school in Orange County, offers periodic get-togethers it calls Lancer Jams. Students share their cultural backgrounds through ethnic foods or something about their heritage.

“It really is a great way to get to know students you usually wouldn’t get to meet,” said Sunny Hills junior Kristen Fong.

* La Habra High School this year began a program it calls LINKS--every freshman on campus is assigned a senior mentor.

“This way a freshman doesn’t feel so lost on campus,” said senior Mario Rieduer, who mentors about eight freshmen. “Hopefully, if they get in trouble, or know about something, they’ll come to me.”

And maybe a good LINKS byproduct, said La Habra’s Holly Smith, also a mentor: “Maybe seniors will be less likely to bully the freshmen.”

Buena Park High’s group favors school uniforms, to help identify nonstudents on campus who shouldn’t be there. George Geokaris, assistant to the superintendent, was quick to point out to me that this is just an idea under consideration; the school has not adopted a uniforms policy.

Student gatherings like this always mean some disagreements. A big issue for some was how security officers treat them at school dances. Some students had serious objections to pat-downs before they enter a dance.

“It’s like you’re guilty already,” one student said.

Several students objected when some students were patted down, but others were not. Make it the same for everyone to reduce friction, they suggested.

One young woman said all students got checked at one event except the homecoming court. And it was one of those girls who was caught later with alcohol.

But other students, and some faculty, pointed out that pat-downs and purse searches are necessary to make events safe for everyone. Teri Gern, who teaches special education at La Vista High, a continuation school, cautioned: “I work with all the drug kids at our school. Believe me, if they know ahead of time that they won’t be searched at an event, they’ll bring drugs with them.”

One thing that came through clearly at this seminar: All these students are proud of their schools. Juan Canizalez, a La Vista senior, got cheers when he told the group why they’d like his school:

“We’ve got good vibes.”

Readers may reach Hicks by calling (714) 564-1049 or e-mail to jerry.hicks@latimes.com