Gardena High School violated district's weapons-check policy, top LAUSD official says

Gardena High School, where police said a student accidentally discharged a firearm in a classroom and wounded two fellow classmates Tuesday, violated school-district policy because it did not conduct random weapons searches every day, incoming LAUSD Supt. John Deasy said Wednesday morning.

Deasy said a review by district administrators showed school-district policy required random weapons searches daily.

At Gardena High School, Deasy said, "that did not occur."

"I can't tell you that that would have discovered this individual," he said, but the district will be interviewing staff responsible for security at the school to determine why the policy was not being followed.

Deasy made the comments outside the high school before a meeting with parents. School and district administrators planned to discuss Tuesday's shooting, the condition of the wounded students and security at the school, among other topics.

On Wednesday morning, staff members searched backpacks and scanned many students with metal detectors as they entered the school gates. A long line of students snaked a few hundred feet outside the school, moving slowly before the morning bell rang.

Students said that before Tuesday's shooting, weapons checks rarely took place, though school officials would routinely screen students for dress-code violations, like low-cut shirts.

Cortney Hullaby, an 11th-grader, said that last week one of her teachers asked students if they felt safe in any of their classes.

"I said no, because you never know what someone has in their backpack," she said, "So I don't trust anyone."

RELATED:

Gardena shooting victims 'fortunate' to be alive

Random weapon searches occurred 'once in a blue moon,' Gardena student says

Photos: Gardena High shooting

-- Tony Barboza in Gardena

Photo: The incoming head of the Los Angeles Unified School District, John Deasy, speaks to the media while students line up for a security check upon their arrival at Gardena High School on Wednesday. Credit: Nick Ut / Associated Press

Comments

[JC]

What happened to the PARENTS DOING THE PARENTING? As well, the parents should be responsible for what these little jerks do.

[todd smith]

I'll tell you right now, 90% of the high schools in LAUSD ARE NOT doing daily searches for weapons. Put the blame on the high school, really?

I work for a high school in Maywood, no searches done here. 80% of the students come onto campus through a back gate, no one is monitoring that!

We don't have enough money for copy-paper, let alone metal detectors and staff to monitor them. Good work superintendent, throw the school under the bus while the finger you are pointing should be right back at yourself!!

[Who Needs Backpacks]

It's about time for all text books to go electronic. This will save money for the school and lighten the load for students, who then will not need backpacks

[Neil]

All part of the failed society which has resulted from trying to force an 18th century constitution on a 21st century society. If the founding fathers could see what their constitution has wrought they'd be appalled and in utter dispair.

[Joe]

I think most of the lausd schools don't even worry to check students for weapons . I say this because I attended to a high school in south central la and their staff Were nothing but lazy people. the metal detectors were just collecting dust ,insted of using them at the entrance secury were just standing and having their mug of coffee. I think lausd should have supervisors checking the secury staff and teachers also .

[guest]

Random searches? So its like a lottery better hope you pick the right kid?

[jjj]

idk this person in charge now. He just open the gates for law suites great. Understand every school is understaff this is not the end of this only begining besides if you notice the media attention to the area today would be much less in the area were the poor live we see this all the time.

[True Patriot1]

What is the status of the poor girl who was shot in the head at the school yesterday?! Why is there no news about her?

[shasha]

i think that the people in charge with their big paying jobs should have their children enrolled at that school for one semester, that way thay would make sure that our children are safe because then their own kids will be safe. they don't care about our kids they care about their jobs. send their kids to our campus's and see how quick our campus is going to be one of the best. because they are not going allow their children to be harmed, in the the way ours have. let them get their kids out of private schools and attend our school and see how it feels.they won't allow their kids here even though they teach here they don't believe their words, they want us to believe every they say and we should not.

[Bewildered]

All I have to say about this is- unless a metal detector like the courts is enforced- the whole individual search will take too much time. Time that is taken away from their education, and time to process all the late students every morning. I'm sure teachers will love to wait on the students still waiting in line. I also really doubt that kids will be there alot earlier to be on time for school. Lastly, where will LAUSD get the funds to add more staff for appropriate searches. Let's see we have cutback on teachers due to the budget, but we need to add more security with those same funds. Lets just call it a prison and call it a day.