Schools are safe despite shootings

Marisa O’Neil

School officials have no plans to beef up security despite two

shootings in four months near elementary schools, saying children’s

safety is not at risk.

The two shootings -- the first near Wilson Elementary School in

October and the second on Friday near Rea Elementary School --

happened after school hours and did not involve students.

Though both took place close to campuses, Newport-Mesa Unified

School District spokeswoman Jane Garland said they have not

instructed schools to take any precautions above those already in

place.

“We have the same security we always use,” she said. “People have

to come in the schools through the office. They’re closed campuses,

and we have people in the parking lots when we’re dismissing

children.”

A 21-year-old Costa Mesa man was shot in the leg at about 9 p.m.

Friday in the 600 block of Hamilton Street -- the same block as Rea.

The man was standing on the sidewalk when three men in their early

20s approached him, police said.

One of the men said something to the victim and then shot him as

he tried to run.

Police have not said if the shooting was gang-related, but their

gang unit is investigating it. No arrests have been made.

A similar shooting happened Oct. 11 across the street from Wilson

Elementary School. Ferdinand Eugenio Zamudio-Saucedo, 20, died after

being shot in the chest at 1:20 p.m. The shooting, which police said

was not gang-related, happened after a brief argument with a

passerby.

Friday’s shooting has not created problems for students, Rea

Principal Ken Killian said.

“From my perspective, I’ve heard no feedback about it,” Killian

said. “The children are not asking teachers about it, and I’ve seen

no direct effect.”

The Boys & Girls Club is also on the same block but closes at 6

p.m., three hours before the shooting. Director Dan Monahan said he

has not heard of any students who are aware of the gang activity in

the area worrying about their own safety.

“We would address it if we heard it from them,” Monahan said.

“They’re surrounded by so much of that, nothing fazes them.”

The club has special programs, he said, to help students avoid

gangs and drugs.

The school district is applying for a grant to help dissuade high

school and junior high students from gang activity, Garland said.

Money from the California Department of Justice would pay for two

more counselors at Costa Mesa High School to work in their outreach

advocate program.

Right now, program coordinator Joseph Montenegro works with

at-risk students and their parents through after-school programs.

“We’re teaching young people to think outside of the box,”

Montenegro said. “Instead of saying: ‘I’m mad and I’m going to

fight,’ we teach positive things we can do when we’re angry. We also

address gang issues and how to stay away from drugs. Instead of just

telling them to say ‘no,’ we show them how to resist.”

* MARISA O’NEIL covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4268 or by e-mail at marisa.oneil@latimes.com.