A Village High School student was arrested after Pleasanton police allegedly found them in possession of a loaded handgun at the campus Monday morning.
No one at the continuation high school was hurt and no shots were fired as a result of the gun being on campus, which led to the unidentified student being taken into custody and booked at Alameda County Juvenile Hall, according to Officer Shannon Revel-Whitaker.
The situation unfolded after police got a call from Village officials around 11:15 a.m. Monday reporting a student might have a concealed handgun on campus, Revel-Whitaker said.
Pleasanton police officers arrived at the school, contacted the student and found they were in fact in possession of a loaded handgun, Revel-Whitaker said. The gun was not brandished toward anyone, and it is unclear why the student brought the weapon to school, she added.
The student was immediately arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm on school grounds and later transported to juvenile hall, according to Revel-Whitaker. Police did not release any identifying details about the arrested student.
Pleasanton Unified School District spokesman Patrick Gannon lauded the quick response of Village staff and Pleasanton police to the gun report.
"Yesterday, Village High School administration received a report that a student may be carrying a concealed weapon on campus. Village staff immediately contacted Pleasanton Police Department who responded within minutes, removing the student from campus without incident," Gannon said in a statement Tuesday.
"The quick response by site staff and the Pleasanton Police Department is a testament to our ongoing partnership and collaboration. The District is reviewing policies and procedures related to school safety and continues to work closely with the PPD to ensure the safety of our schools," he added.
Revel-Whitaker pointed out that Pleasanton police and school officials work together closely to maintain safety at all schools, and she reminded residents to contact officials to report any suspicious activity.
The Pleasanton Police Department and PUSD maintain anonymous tip lines that can be called any time.
To report emergencies, call 9-1-1. Non-emergency voicemail messages or tips can be left for PPD at 931-5252. PUSD's tip line is 417-5199, which can also receive text and voicemail messages. Both tip lines are anonymous and confidential.
Comments
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Oct 24, 2017 at 1:34 pm
on Oct 24, 2017 at 1:34 pm
The entrances of each of the high schools need to have metal detectors so that no knives and guns can be brought into school buildings. How horrible that kids are bringing loaded guns to schools. I'll bet this isn't an isolated incident.
I have figured out now why so many vendors off and on have tried to run the daycare/preschool located on the D.O. headquarters / Village High with no success. This was supposed to be for children of teachers and staff originally, yes? But no teacher in their right mind would send their own children. Then the general public would not enroll their kids because who would? Now I know why no one would send their babies and small children to the same campus as Village high school.
Downtown
on Oct 24, 2017 at 3:02 pm
on Oct 24, 2017 at 3:02 pm
It's not a continuation school, it's a convict school. When not bringing guns to school the kids walk through the neighborhood vandalizing yards on their way to whatever no good thing they are up to. No one living near the school wants it there so close it and put those kids into a locked, fenced facility with metal detectors. Time for the taxpayers to stop paying for day care for undesirables whose claim to fame is their ill behavior.
Mission Park
on Oct 24, 2017 at 5:02 pm
on Oct 24, 2017 at 5:02 pm
I think you are judging this school without any real knowledge of it. Village is an alternative school. Not all students learn the same and not all students that go there are discipline problems.
Registered user
Pleasanton Meadows
on Oct 24, 2017 at 6:03 pm
Registered user
on Oct 24, 2017 at 6:03 pm
How does a child come into possession of a loaded gun and arrive on school campus with the loaded gun?
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Oct 24, 2017 at 10:23 pm
on Oct 24, 2017 at 10:23 pm
If you Google gun and Village High and Pleasanton Unified you can see that this sort of thing has been happening for over 10 years yes 10 years Web Link
If this incident in the above link happened in 2006 why weren't metal detectors put at Village High 11 years ago?
Registered user
Walnut Grove Elementary School
on Oct 25, 2017 at 10:04 am
Registered user
on Oct 25, 2017 at 10:04 am
@MAustin; She takes it from her mom's nightstand and puts it in a brown paper bag. No problem.
Pleasanton Meadows
on Oct 25, 2017 at 11:46 am
on Oct 25, 2017 at 11:46 am
PUSD schools are not designed with one entry point for a metal detector... that being said Village serves a very valuable purpose in our community. Not all students do well in a high school of 2,000-2,800 students. Many of the students are low on credits or just struggling to succeed at Amador or Foothill. As for the preschool & infant care they are near but to my knowledge have never been affected by any disciplinary issues at Village. What a shame to lump all these children into one category "convicts" due to the actions of one student.
Village High School
on Oct 25, 2017 at 11:49 am
on Oct 25, 2017 at 11:49 am
My son goes to school here and this kid was new. It was his first day at Village.
The village students are great kids and like (gasps) even Amador and Foothill they have there struggles but, let's make this clear this was NOT a village student!!!
The kids do not deserve the bad press.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Oct 25, 2017 at 11:53 am
on Oct 25, 2017 at 11:53 am
Most of the schools that have had problems have been re-designed to have the entry points include a metal detector. Whether that is one or multiple entry points, it does not matter.
Unless the school board has been living in some sort of cave for the last 15 or 20 years, that is the reality of the situation.
The reality is that this situation at student is not isolated to one student. There have been multiple incidents at Village including the one in 2006. There was another gun incident regarding a student taking his life several years ago.
The board failed to put metal detectors at Village in 2006 when the incident in the above link was made public. Once again, the school board has failed to protect students.
Mission Park
on Oct 25, 2017 at 2:56 pm
on Oct 25, 2017 at 2:56 pm
Village HS is not the only school to have problems. They happen at Foothill and Amador too, and I’m sure all high schools. This is indicative of our society as a whole. Village should not be held to a different standard.
Laguna Oaks
on Oct 25, 2017 at 5:12 pm
on Oct 25, 2017 at 5:12 pm
Tina has balanced and logical comments. It is possible the other comments would make a good showing on Fox or 560AM radio shows:)
Registered user
Pleasanton Meadows
on Oct 25, 2017 at 5:58 pm
Registered user
on Oct 25, 2017 at 5:58 pm
Vigy:
How is it determined the student with the loaded gun on campus is a female student?
Amador Valley High School
on Oct 25, 2017 at 6:34 pm
on Oct 25, 2017 at 6:34 pm
This happened a few years ago at Amador after school hours and on school property.
But according to this, two students have brought firearms to Village High this year Web Link
And this says he not she.
I would bet the teacher's union would be opposed to security screening and metal detectors because 1) they would have to be screened too and would not like that and 2) a lot of them seem to come and go as they please during the school day anyway during so called prep periods and other times in a day they would not like to have to come back and be re-screened (and noticed by administration).
Downtown
on Oct 25, 2017 at 6:43 pm
on Oct 25, 2017 at 6:43 pm
I don’t know the answer to this but do we have armed police in each of our schools? I was recently in Texas and visited my nieces school and there was a policeman walking the school grounds.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Oct 25, 2017 at 7:16 pm
on Oct 25, 2017 at 7:16 pm
Let's not get too excited. Yes, the student should be dealt with severely. But lets not go overboard and suddenly want metal detectors, which will make the school seem more like a prison. Already, Village is in desperate need of grass and flowers.
By the way, a 3rd grader at Twin Creeks in San Ramon brought a loaded weapon to school yesterday. I have a feeling this is a wider issue, and not necessarily isolated to Village.
Web Link
Pleasanton Meadows
on Oct 25, 2017 at 7:37 pm
on Oct 25, 2017 at 7:37 pm
High schooler - shoot the kid
3rd grader - shoot the parents (If gun was theirs)
The layers to how oblivious the families and individuals are around gun sensitivity/access/recent events/etc is beyond rational comprehension.
Amador Valley High School
on Oct 25, 2017 at 8:37 pm
on Oct 25, 2017 at 8:37 pm
After the gun was brought into the Alameda County Fair on July 4th, 1998 and 8 people were shot, the elected officials that ultimately run the fair - the County Board of Supervisors - determined for the safety of the public, that metal detectors would be used from now on. Web Link
In spite of the union opposition to safety and fears probably from the Board that metal detectors would 'tarnish the image' of the school district, it seems like for minimal expense, if just one life is saved, isn't it worth it?
I believe that in all likelihood metal detectors would have either prevented the student from bringing the gun in the school in the first place or they would have been caught at the door.
Times have changed. Students have backpacks with who knows what is in there.
Also, I seriously doubt the children that walk through the metal detector when they now enter the Alameda County Fair feel they are entering a prison-like environment.
Registered user
Mohr Park
on Oct 25, 2017 at 8:58 pm
Registered user
on Oct 25, 2017 at 8:58 pm
Twice In a Year - "In spite of the union opposition to safety" I'd like to do some research on this but my google searches have come up empty. Can you point me to an article or something about this?
Registered user
Mohr Park
on Oct 25, 2017 at 9:05 pm
Registered user
on Oct 25, 2017 at 9:05 pm
Does anyone have cost estimates for metal detectors?
I know the device itself would be around $4K a pieces, but how may would we need to get 2700 students through (at AVHS) in a reasonable time frame (i.e. 10 min). We would need trained employees at each of the detectors or else they are worthless. At least one would need to be in operation at all times that the school is open. Would these also be required for all after/before school events are just during the school day?
I guess we would need guards monitoring the entire perimeter (or a sophisticated surveillance system) because someone could easily just put something on the other side of the fence and walk through the detector then go pick up the object (gun, knife, whatever...).
Sorry, I am just walking through this in my brain and it seems awfully expensive.
Registered user
Mohr Park
on Oct 25, 2017 at 9:06 pm
Registered user
on Oct 25, 2017 at 9:06 pm
"do we have armed police in each of our schools?" - each school does have an assigned safety office which is an armed police officer. I am unsure if they are there the entire school day or not....
Amador Valley High School
on Oct 25, 2017 at 9:33 pm
on Oct 25, 2017 at 9:33 pm
Typically the teacher's union opposes increased safety that would provided by metal detectors because of various reasons such as 'not in my job description,' 'interferes with school climate' or other variations of this theme.
Even after a district implements a policy including a metal detector program, the teachers that oppose this simply refuse to follow the policy. Then they will file a grievance and sometimes then sue the school district such as this lawsuit from Southern California... Web Link
Then taxpayer money will then be spent defending the lawsuit that the teacher filed because the teacher refused to follow the policy regarding metal detectors.
Our tax dollars at work.
Ruby Hill
on Oct 25, 2017 at 10:02 pm
on Oct 25, 2017 at 10:02 pm
Let me paraphrase for Twice in a year?
I did a Google search and only found one thing. It has nothing to do with Pleasanton, the teachers, or reality. I may not have even read it, but it proves my point. Teachers and unions are bad.
When I say, "Typically the the teacher's[sic] union opposes increased safety that would provided[sic] by metal detectors because of various reasons," I mean that teachers don't care about the safety of kids or themselves. I think that's obvious. Teachers want to be in peril daily, and they want the same for their students. Yes, my evidence is anecdotal at best, but I'm guessing most of you won't actually read it.
I'm also going to post hearsay from another local publication that doesn't verify anything. You'll believe it, though, because I said it's true.
The last verifiable instance of a firearm at Village was in 2006. Yes, most of our kids were in preschool then, but it's a pattern. Trust me.
DF
Village High School
on Oct 25, 2017 at 11:41 pm
on Oct 25, 2017 at 11:41 pm
I see a lot of people referring to past gun instances and what I can say is reading every article I could find (Including ones posted here) they have all been gun THREATS. No one had a gun, no one used it, it wasn't brought to school, just some kid saying something really stupid. This is the first situation I was able to find of there actually being a gun present on campus.
I attended Village from 2006-2008 and while I can say there are definitely trouble makers, everyone has them painted to be these harden criminals or something. A lot of us, me included, went there because we were doing poorly in school and had home problems causing us to act out, like teenagers tend to do.
Things have probably changed since I attended the school, but one thing I remember very clearly is it opened my eyes to the fact that a lot of kids get caught up in local gangs. Additionally, the majority of the gangs members are actually still at normal schools like Amador and people just point at Village as the source of it all. This isn't a school issue, this is a community issue that impacts all of our local high schools.
Everyone who is worried about weapons on campus and wants the district to do something about it all, I don't blame you. With the increasing acts of violence across the country it makes perfect sense to have major concerns. But all of you who are purely pointing at Village as the "problem" because it is a "convict school" full of "undesirables", here's a reality check. These are just the kids who got caught, and trust me the ones who get caught are the minority of teen gang members in this town.
Registered user
Pleasanton Meadows
on Oct 26, 2017 at 7:34 am
Registered user
on Oct 26, 2017 at 7:34 am
Former student - I could replace "Village" with "jail" and your statement still reads true. I don't think that is the intent of what you're saying, nor do I believe it to be true, but I also think that you need to recognize Village as a student population is made up of students that have been identified as more at risk (doesn't mean they are all the at risk students, just the ones that get identified - to your point of the actual population is greater). Does that mean you don't extend the learning and actions taken at one high school to others - of course not, but you do have to start somewhere, and I'd go for the higher risk area.
Counter to all of this - if safety actions were put in place at other schools and not Village, the outcry would be that the community doesn't care about Village students......but when you start with Village its because they're criminals? You can't win....and when you can't win, you either don't do anything (status quo today).
Registered user
San Ramon
on Oct 26, 2017 at 9:49 am
Registered user
on Oct 26, 2017 at 9:49 am
would it not be a reasonable law that if you owned a firearm a gun safe is required if minors live in the residence? OR would the NRA have a Trump type tantrum and lose their heads?
Hum.
Canyon Creek
on Oct 26, 2017 at 10:26 am
on Oct 26, 2017 at 10:26 am
To "Close the School" SHAME ON YOU...My child went there, and thank goodness not all children learn at the same level...Wow, lock them up and throw the key away uh? People like you.....shame!
Pleasanton Heights
on Oct 26, 2017 at 11:31 am
on Oct 26, 2017 at 11:31 am
That's a good school. I had some friends who ended up there. It really turned a couple of their lives around.
Kids bring weapons to school, regardless the school. Heck, a kid brought molotov's to Amador when I was there. Got caught because Casvan smelled gas in the locker. I would rather we not metal detect our society. It sounds like the staff, kids, and police did a great job of mitigating the threat.
Vineyard Avenue
on Oct 27, 2017 at 9:29 am
on Oct 27, 2017 at 9:29 am
I lived across the street from Village for 6 years a couple of years back and never had any issues. The issue isn't the school, but the world is changing, Pleasanton is growing and changing too. Unfortunately not always for the best! The sad truth is we see it happen in one place and then another child gets the idea and then the idea spirals into action. In this time we are seeing the issue being guns. In the past it was something else. We have to wonder aside from any mental illness why these kids aren't aware of consequences or don't care. Some don't even process their crimes could result in a lifetime in jail. What is missing?
Registered user
Livermore
on Oct 27, 2017 at 10:53 am
Registered user
on Oct 27, 2017 at 10:53 am
The issue here is irresponsible gun ownership. If a gun is locked, unloaded, in a place where no child can get it via a key or a code and the ammunition is locked in a separate location, as it should be, these incidents would not happen. I'm hearing a lot about metal detectors and not much about responsible parents. Why does a child ever have access to a parent's gun? There should be fines and severe penalties for people who do not practice gun safety and responsible gun ownership. If you don't know how to keep your gun in a secure environment where no one but you can access it, you shouldn't have one.
Pleasanton Valley
on Oct 27, 2017 at 2:12 pm
on Oct 27, 2017 at 2:12 pm
What the NRA and pro-gun people don't want to admit is that 90 percent of gun owners are not responsible enough to have a gun. Children and teenagers get their hands on guns all of the time. This story ended okay but somewhere today an accidental shooting or a stolen gun killed someone. What a insane world where people would rather have metal detectors than gun legislation.
Registered user
Pleasanton Meadows
on Oct 27, 2017 at 2:12 pm
Registered user
on Oct 27, 2017 at 2:12 pm
Responsibility - agreed.....see my solution.
Castlewood
on Oct 28, 2017 at 9:08 pm
on Oct 28, 2017 at 9:08 pm
ban high schools, problem solved
another community
on Oct 29, 2017 at 12:54 am
on Oct 29, 2017 at 12:54 am
Casey:
Where did you come up with 90% of gun owners are not responsible? Are you saying that if someone breaks into your home and steals a gun, the home owner is irresponsible? If that is the case, then I assume you think that people who get their car stolen or house broken into are also irresponsible. If I have a non driver in my house, should I hide the car keys because a car is a 3000 pound weapon in the wrong hands. Your thoughts please
Oak Hill
on Oct 29, 2017 at 1:17 am
on Oct 29, 2017 at 1:17 am
@Mike :”Are you saying that if someone breaks into your home and steals a gun, the home owner is irresponsible? If that is the case, then I assume you think that people who get their car stolen or house broken into are also irresponsible.”
A lot of the time the gun owner is irresponsible. Aren’t gun owners supposed to have a gun safe in their house in which to secure their guns when not in use? From the stories I’ve read, it seems that a lot of these gun thefts from houses are cases in which the gun owners did not properly secure their guns in safes. That’s irresponsible.
Pleasanton Valley
on Oct 29, 2017 at 3:42 am
on Oct 29, 2017 at 3:42 am
I want to preface this with I personally believe everyone should exercise safety and security to their fullest capabilities when involving firearms. What I am talking about below are the CA laws and the purpose of said laws as I understand them.
California does not require any forms of safety storage devices in your home if there is no (with in reason) risk of a minor gaining access to it. So if you don't have children and children don't visit your home, technically it is perfectly legal to have a fully loaded firearm sitting on your kitchen table. Is it smart? Not in the slightest, but it's legal.
Now if there is a chance of a minor gaining access, all that is required is a state approved locking system that prevents the child from easily being able to operate the firearm. These can range from safes, to lock boxes, to cable or trigger locks. As long as it's state approved, you're legal.
The fact is though, if someone wants to steal your firearm they will probably find a way to do so. That said, when securing your firearm the concern isn't someone stealing it (for the reason I just said). The goal is to keep kids from getting it and doing something really stupid with it. If your kid wants to take your firearm, they don't want you to know. They aren't going to break the case or cut the lock, they are going to look for the key or try to figure out the code to the safe. Prevent that from happening, then you've done your job. If you kid is willing to go the extra mile to break things and steal it, chances are they would have gone the extra mile to get a firearm elsewhere. Kind of the difference between a moment of opportunity vs a conscious commitment to break the law.
another community
on Oct 30, 2017 at 12:43 am
on Oct 30, 2017 at 12:43 am
Sam:
Sam you are great at not answering the questions. With your logic, a homeowner is irresponsible for leaving the keys to their car in the ignition, the car parked in the locked and secure garage but stolen by a burglar. Is that correct? Now I do expect a comment but no answer.
Oak Hill
on Oct 30, 2017 at 7:43 am
on Oct 30, 2017 at 7:43 am
@Mike
IF we lived in a world in which there were lots of cars being stolen due to car owners leaving their keys in the ignitions of cars in locked and secured garages then, yes, in such a world I would say that it is irresponsible of a car owner to leave their keys in the car ignition even if the car carage is locked and secured. Make sense to you?
On the other hand, we know for a fact that many guns do get stolen from homeowners who don’t secure their guns in locked safes. It’s not uncommon to read about such events in the local Bay Area news. It happens all over the country. It even sometimes happens here in Pleasanton, as I know as a result of occasionally perusing the PPD crime reports. That’s why responsible gun owners keep their guns secured in locked safes.
Registered user
Pleasanton Meadows
on Oct 30, 2017 at 8:41 am
Registered user
on Oct 30, 2017 at 8:41 am
Lets also not lose site of the impact of a stolen car vs a stolen gun. While both end up in the hands of a criminal element the use case for each is very different. More often than not, the stolen vehicle is either - used in another crime (i.e. getaway vehicle) or broken down into parts and sold. The stolen gun, is either used in another crime (as threat or to harm), or sold to be used in another crime (as threat or to harm). The difference - if the gun was purchased to "protect", a defensive position, it is now an offensive one. The car maintains its primary purpose - to transport.
Birdland
on Oct 30, 2017 at 12:16 pm
on Oct 30, 2017 at 12:16 pm
To former student: You are articulate and should continue to speak out.