LOS ANGELES, CA – Wadsworth Avenue Elementary School in South Los Angeles has been vandalized or burglarized six times since July, with the latest incident leaving two dozen classrooms in disarray over the weekend. The damage underscores a troubling trend, with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) reporting 171 such incidents across its campuses this semester alone.
On Monday, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho toured the damaged school alongside Principal Jenny Guzman-Murdock, expressing frustration and outrage over the repeated attacks on the under-resourced institution.
Superintendent Denounces Acts of Vandalism
“It infuriates me to know that a school like this one, that often struggles for the resources the students and parents need, would be burglarized, vandalized, stolen from—six different times since July,” Carvalho said.
The damages from the latest incident are estimated at $115,000, including the cost of replacing locks, repairing doors, and cleaning graffiti.
Principal Guzman-Murdock emphasized the emotional and educational toll on students and staff.
“It’s mainly vandalism, which is, I think, what hurts the most,” she said. “It’s not like they’re taking items; it’s more just destruction, and it’s disruptive for our students.”
School officials noted that while Wadsworth is in the process of installing surveillance cameras, the system has not yet been activated.
Enhanced Security Measures
In response to the repeated incidents, Carvalho announced increased security measures to protect the school, particularly during the Thanksgiving holiday when the campus will be empty.
“We will deploy police resources around the school to ensure that, considering the fact that we’re replacing doors and keys, during that time period there’s additional supervision,” Carvalho said.
The rise in vandalism and burglaries at LAUSD schools highlights ongoing challenges in securing campuses, particularly in underserved areas. Community leaders and parents have called for faster implementation of security upgrades, including cameras, alarms, and increased law enforcement presence.
For schools like Wadsworth, which already struggle with limited resources, the financial and psychological impact of repeated vandalism is profound.
“This is not just about money,” Carvalho said. “It’s about the environment we create for our students and teachers. Every act of vandalism is an attack on the future of these children.”
LAUSD has pledged to expedite the activation of surveillance systems and to collaborate with law enforcement to deter further incidents. In the meantime, parents and staff remain vigilant as they work to restore the school and ensure it remains a safe and welcoming place for students.
Further updates are expected as investigations into the incidents continue.
