Embattled school has a quiet day

Sacramento Bee ^ | 12/7/02 | Ralph Montano

[hoosierskypilot]

Hiram Johnson High School resembled a compound under martial law Friday as police cars circled the campus and almost 20 security guards patrolled the grounds. If there was any doubt in students' minds that the school officials were taking an apparent resurgence of gang activity seriously, it was gone by the afternoon.

"You couldn't even go to the bathroom without someone asking you a whole bunch of questions," said Ashley Hampel, 15.

The campus was peaceful throughout the day, but that might have been because of a large number of absences as angry parents kept their children at home.

Daily attendance totals were not available from Principal Andre Douyon, but he likened it to having a day on campus without the senior class.

"It was very quiet today, and we are going to continue this next week," Douyon said.

Fears of gang violence boiled over this week following several fights on campus, one of which sent a boy to the hospital with a concussion. Rumors of planned retaliation and guns at school had police staking out the campus and prompted an emergency security meeting by officials of the Sacramento City Unified School District.

Richard Owen, associate superintendent for high school improvement, said new rules for students and new campus safety measures will take effect Monday and will continue through the last two weeks of school before the holiday break.

The rules include restrictions on dress, including no solid red or blue clothing and no bandanas or hats other than Hiram Johnson baseball caps.

Any student who talks back to a teacher will be suspended, and any student who assaults another student will be suspended and expulsion will be considered.

"We are through tolerating any of this behavior," Owen said. "The gangs had their day. From now on, we are in charge. We are the adults, and they are the children."

[hoosierskypilot]

The article says part of the problem is overcrowding. As in the rest of CA, can anyone say, "Illegal immigration?" The mental midgets in Sacramento (Davis, et al) aren't even considering the collateral damage of their self-serving multi-cultural ideologies.

[Libertina]

We are through tolerating any of this behavior
Better late than never... I just don't think parents have a true picture of what goes on nowadays at "school." If they did, they'd homeschool.

[Nitro]

Puerto Ricans own a state, it is called New York!!

Mexicans own a state, it os called Kalifornia!!

[PatrioticAmerican]

bttt