Cameras, Coach B Cover Campus
Security systems and staff help make Pioneer a safer school
By Jace Szarlacki
Security systems and staff help make Pioneer a safer school
By Jace Szarlacki
Security cameras captured the scene when an unknown individual attempted to steal a teacher’s bike on campus. After the intervention of a Pioneer employee, the man was told to hand over the bike and leave the scene.
On the first Monday of November, security cameras under the exterior of the gym captured the moments leading up to the conflict outside the boy’s locker room. Athletic Director Joe Berticevich happened to be walking in the direction of the boy’s locker room when he noticed an unfamiliar man rummaging around PE teacher Frank Villareal’s bike. Villareal, was not around during the time of the incident. “The person didn’t look familiar and he was on a bike with a carrier so I knew it wasn’t his. Frank usually brings a carrier attached to his bike. So I went over there and asked him, ‘What are you doing? This is not your bike” said Berticevich. The man responded with only three words, “Yeah, it is.” Berticevich, who was certain the bike hadn’t belonged to the man, questioned him once more. This time, Berticevich got a new answer. |
“Well it was blocking the doorway, and that’s a safety issue” said the man.
Berticevich then told him to “get out of (there)” and the man returned the bike and left campus.
The cameras around Pioneer were installed in 2016. The implementation of these cameras, according to Assistant Principal of Discipline Tim Gavello, has reduced student-related crimes as they are now aware their actions are being watched. Their effectiveness, however, was brought into question earlier this year when portable classrooms near the tennis courts had their windows cracked from individuals who fired BB gun pellets at the buildings on the evening of Feb. 29.
Gavello said that while they could see that the pellets were fired by “middle school students,” they were not able to identify the shooters. Other young students have been caught though, causing other problems.
“We caught a middle school student trying to steal our golf cart and we were able to identify him by showing the picture to principals in the district. We have caught students vandalizing the school over the weekends,” said Gavello.
The bike incident marked the first time someone has walked onto campus and attempted to steal Pioneer staff property during the current school year. Gavello has noticed an increase in the number of random people on campus, which he said is because there are fewer people on campus each day.
Villareal, who was only later notified of the events, was shocked by what he saw on the security camera footage.
“I was pretty surprised that someone would be willing to walk on campus and try to take someone's property. At the time I felt I had the liberty to leave my bike right outside my door since only teachers, admin and classified employees are allowed on campus. I was very lucky that Coach B was in the area at the time or my bike would have been gone,” Villareal said
Berticevich was surprised that someone would attempt to take a bike on campus where only Pioneer staff is allowed, but shared his reasoning of why someone might have tried to steal the bike.
“He saw an opportunity where not a lot of people are around because there’s not a lot of cars out there so he must’ve thought maybe that he could get away with it,” said Berticevich.
Taking his kids on bikes rides is something Villareal loves to do, and the loss of his bike would've been devastating news. Reflecting over what had transpired, Villareal was grateful for the actions taken by his coworker, who was looking out for others on campus.
"We are all family here at Pioneer," Berticevich said.
Berticevich then told him to “get out of (there)” and the man returned the bike and left campus.
The cameras around Pioneer were installed in 2016. The implementation of these cameras, according to Assistant Principal of Discipline Tim Gavello, has reduced student-related crimes as they are now aware their actions are being watched. Their effectiveness, however, was brought into question earlier this year when portable classrooms near the tennis courts had their windows cracked from individuals who fired BB gun pellets at the buildings on the evening of Feb. 29.
Gavello said that while they could see that the pellets were fired by “middle school students,” they were not able to identify the shooters. Other young students have been caught though, causing other problems.
“We caught a middle school student trying to steal our golf cart and we were able to identify him by showing the picture to principals in the district. We have caught students vandalizing the school over the weekends,” said Gavello.
The bike incident marked the first time someone has walked onto campus and attempted to steal Pioneer staff property during the current school year. Gavello has noticed an increase in the number of random people on campus, which he said is because there are fewer people on campus each day.
Villareal, who was only later notified of the events, was shocked by what he saw on the security camera footage.
“I was pretty surprised that someone would be willing to walk on campus and try to take someone's property. At the time I felt I had the liberty to leave my bike right outside my door since only teachers, admin and classified employees are allowed on campus. I was very lucky that Coach B was in the area at the time or my bike would have been gone,” Villareal said
Berticevich was surprised that someone would attempt to take a bike on campus where only Pioneer staff is allowed, but shared his reasoning of why someone might have tried to steal the bike.
“He saw an opportunity where not a lot of people are around because there’s not a lot of cars out there so he must’ve thought maybe that he could get away with it,” said Berticevich.
Taking his kids on bikes rides is something Villareal loves to do, and the loss of his bike would've been devastating news. Reflecting over what had transpired, Villareal was grateful for the actions taken by his coworker, who was looking out for others on campus.
"We are all family here at Pioneer," Berticevich said.