In Arcadia, a city in South Los Angeles County known for its vibrant Chinese community, a recent incident has raised serious concerns regarding the safety of preschoolers. Authorities were alarmed when a homeless individual attempted to break into a local kindergarten, prompting urgent discussions about student safety.
Belinda Xu, who runs a kindergarten on East Live Oak Avenue, recounted the alarming event that took place three weeks ago. A homeless person, reportedly suffering from mental illness, approached the school during dismissal time. Due to the lack of a fence at the front, the individual forcibly tugged at a window screen in an attempt to gain access to the premises. Although the window was closed and the attempt was unsuccessful, the incident left the children terrified.
Following this frightening event, Xu quickly reached out to the Arcadia city government and pushed for the installation of safety measures such as fencing and walls around the school.
Just a few blocks away, a major affordable housing project named Elara is set to begin construction next year, which will include 45 apartments designated for long-term residents experiencing homelessness. Xu expressed her deep concern about this development, fearful of the number of homeless individuals who may flood the area and how it could jeopardize her students’ safety.
According to Xu, there are at least four preschools nearby that can accommodate 259 students. With the proposed housing project situated adjacent to multiple educational institutions, she is urging government officials to prioritize the safety of the children.
Lucy Zhang, a volunteer with the Arcadia Safety Guardians (ASG), only learned about this extensive housing project at the end of September and was shocked by the news. She raised alarms about the potential safety issues for students, especially with the presence of so many homeless individuals near the schools.
Susan Guo, president of the Arcadia Chinese Association, criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the Elara housing project. She pointed out that it had not undergone an environmental assessment process, and many local residents only recently became aware of it. Guo also highlighted concerns about jurisdiction, noting that if crime were to escalate, it would be unclear whether the Arcadia Police Department or the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department would be responsible. She raised the issue that if the city frequently redirected police resources, it could deplete the already limited resources available to the community.
On October 15, Belinda Xu attended a city council meeting to voice her worries about the potential safety threats posed by the upcoming homeless housing project for the children in her care.
