Crime remains low at schools Randy Dotinga and Kimberly Epler ENCINITAS
- Reflecting the state as a whole, the crime rate in San Diego County schools remained low in the1997-98 school year,
according to statistics released Wednesday by
the state Department of Education. Only a small number of students reported crimes
such as sexual assaults and robberies. Drug and alcohol offenses were much more common, but still represented a small percentage of students, according to the third annual report of crime statistics.
Property
crime was the main problem facing elementary
school districts in Encinitas, Solana Beach, Cardiff and
Del Mar. The San Dieguito Union High School District, serving 9,220 students from Carmel Valley to south Carlsbad, saw decreases in
all of the surveyed areas. Statewide, property crimes - such as burglaries - have declined, as have person-on-person crimes, like
assaults. Drug and alcohol offenses remained at the same level. More
students are being caught with knives on
campus, while fewer are being caught occurred in the San Dieguito District. Property
crimes were much more common. Here
is a rundown of the crime statistics from coastal North County schools: · The
Cardiff Elementary School
District had four incidents of property crime total:
$11,263 in damage. Superintendent Richard Thome said, “The
statistics represent one major and three minor incidents of vandalism targeting Ada Harris Elementary School. · Two
students were subsequently suspended for one semester for their role in destroy 10
computers and other equipment in one classroom at the Encinitas
campus. ·
The
San Dieguito district experienced
more serious crime than its
elementary neighbors, including 10 of weapon possession, two robberies and 16 batteries. But the high school district also saw a decrease in every except vandalism and fewer crimes than a
similar size. Forty property crimes cost the San Dieguito
district $37,276. Superintendent Bill Berrier said he was pleased with the overall decline in crime, crediting the efforts of
administrators and teachers to establish
strong relationships with students, but noted districts must remain vigilant. “[Crime] is always a concern,” he said. “It's
something you must stay on top of.” ·
The
Encinitas Union School District, serving
5,155 elementary school students in Encinitas
and southern Carlsbad, had two instances of battery and 12 cases of vandalism during 1997-98. The damage totaled $13,492. · The Solana Beach and Del Mar districts only experienced property crimes during the last school year. Three instances of vandalism caused $1,340 in damage at Solana Beach schools.
|
