Strangers on Campus

Jake Russo & Peggy PugheEDAD 203-204March 9,2011

Who is a “stranger on campus?”

• Someone who does NOT have official business on the school campus.

Or…who is NOT a stranger?According to Penal Code (section 627.1 ),the following

persons are NOT “outsiders”: 1. Students of the school (unless suspended or expelled). 2. Parents or guardians of students of the school. 3. Officers and employees of the school district.4. Public employees whose employment requires presence

on school grounds.5. Any person who is on school grounds at the school's

request. 6. Union representatives. 7. Elected public officials. 8. Press.

Penal Code, not Ed Code

• Laws governing this issue can be found in Penal Code, not Ed Code

• Penal Code sections 626.6, 626.8, and 627.7

Policies

• Required by California Penal Code• Check-in at front office• Signs posted at all entrances of campus informing

visitors to check-in

• Most visitors have legitimate business, but some act inappropriately—or criminally—on campus.

• Penal code provides for punishment for those who break the law.

What schools should do now:

• Post rules throughout campus directing all visitors to the Office

• Office: issue visitor passes to all visitors• Instruct (and train) all staff that any stranger

should be asked to identify him/herself and his/her business on campus

• If the answer is unsatisfactory, the stranger should be directed to the office

• If the stranger does not comply, call the campus security officer or the police.

The Real World

• Lily Russo, age 10, 5th grade—Valencia Elementary

• Femi Amao, age 11, 6th grade—Branciforte Middle School

• Kelley Didion, Principal, Valencia Elementary School

• Dale Knight, Assistant Principal, Aptos High School