A part-time security guard can’t prevent all crimes on Calaveras School’s campus, but administrators say Marshal Robert Scattini – who watches the grounds in exchange for reduced rent at his residence on the district-owned property – both deters and prevents criminal activity.
Scattini was not on campus doing his rounds when a suspected arson – which severely damaged playground equipment at Calaveras School – was set on Oct. 7. So far, no suspects have turned up. Calaveras Principal Christine White said she believes that the fire – started mid-afternoon – was an “isolated incident” and little could have been done to prevent it.
In exchange for discounted rent, Scattini lives in the one-unit house on Calaveras’ campus and provides security to the school. According to his contract with the Hollister School District – which began in June 1989 – he must do two patrol inspections during school days and four on non-school days.
Scattini pays $450 in rent to the district and pays his own utilities, said Jack Bachofer, the district’s director of business and operations.
“I get a break on the rent, but believe me it’s a full-time job and it’s also kind of dangerous to a point,” Scattini said. “If they were to pay a full-time security guard, it would (cost) a lot more.”
Scattini said the fire has been the most significant crime on the school campus during his many years on the job.
Most nights, he said, he patrols both the school campus and Calaveras Park looking for people who should not be there. Scattini said he has a bag of around 15 cans of spray paint he has confiscated off people at the park.
“I can’t be out there 24 hours a day in the park, but I’m sure I curtail a bunch of problems in the park,” Scattini said.
Calaveras Principal Christine White said Scattini’s presence on campus is appreciated by many of the school’s staff.
“It is nice to have him here, and if nothing else his (marshal) car is a deterrent,” White said.
Superintendent Ron Crates noted how Calaveras has one of the lowest vandalism rates of the district’s schools. Crates said Cerra Vista, Rancho San Justo and R.O. Hardin tend to get the most graffiti and hooliganism on weekends.
This was one reason why those three schools are scheduled to get security cameras installed and Calaveras originally was not included. Crates said the district is now considering the additional security measure at Calaveras.
Scattini said he was “surprised” the school was not installing cameras and that he had asked the district to install the devices in addition to his services.
White said she realizes security cameras and motion-sensor lights could potentially serve as a deterrent for vandalism, but she’s unsure if they would have stopped the fire. She doesn’t believe the cameras are necessary on the school’s campus.
“My opinion is our community here at Calaveras protects the school, and it’s a priority in the neighborhood,” White said. “I honestly feel that this is an isolated incident.”
White said the campus is typically full of students and families on the weekend – playing soccer and enjoying the jungle gyms. She said she is hoping someone from the community will come forward with more information on the fire.
The playground equipment should be replaced in around six weeks, White said.
“We will be happy to have it replaced and out of the students’ minds,” she said.
