As the new school year approaches, San Benito High School is working on a plan to fund a school resource police officer for the campus.
SBHS lost its resource officer, Leticia Horta of the Hollister Police Department, at the end of the school year because HPD didn’t have the money to continue funding the position. Superintendent Jean Burns Slater said with the new side of campus opening in August, and the continuous problem of rival gangs, she feels it’s important to have the officer present.
“We’re really trying to propose a school safety program for one year,” she said. “We really appreciated having Officer Horta on campus with us.”
Slater will take the idea to the board of trustees Aug. 11, and if they approve, the district will provide funding for the salary and benefits of the position. The estimated cost of the position is $75,000, according to Slater.
Police Chief Jeff Miller said he’s heard “rumblings” about the district pulling together the funding, but most likely won’t get the official word until the board votes.
“I’m really pleased to hear they may be able to provide the funding because we’ve felt awful that we could no longer provide it,” he said.
Whether or not the school is able to have a resource officer won’t have an impact on the gang problem at SBHS, according to Vice Principal Duane Morgan.
“I don’t think it will be any different here,” he said. “When there is a situation we usually jump on things pretty quickly.”
During her time at SBHS, Horta was more of an adviser for students, and not necessarily an authority figure, Morgan said.
“Officer Horta was more of a positive support person for the students, rather than just a person walking around with a gun,” he said.
Morgan said SBHS has the same gang-related issues as any other high school in the state of California, and what happens on campus is merely a “reflection of what happens in the community.”
The community has seen gang activity in recent months.
In April, a 17-year-old was assaulted with a hammer outside of K-mart, and a gang related fight occurred outside of the SBHS talent show at Nash Road and West Street.
Chief Miller also said the school is a part of the community, so therefore it has the same issues as the entire community – which includes gang problems.
“Hollister has a gang problem,” he said. “I know the high school has had situations arise and that there is gang activity there. We just rely on them to call us if they need our help.”
