By Alex Wycoff
Staff Writer
Manhattan Beach Police Department detective and school resource officer on Mira Costa High School’s campus John Loy will not be present at Costa until the start of the second semester.
According to Costa Vice Principal Paula Hart, Loy’s absence is a result of a shortage of personnel in the district and a lack of personnel in MBPD. Loy’s time will be spent temporarily covering for fellow detectives who are injured or retired.
“I’m still the SRO at Costa,” Loy said. “However, my resources are needed in MBPD’s detective bureau right now [as well].”
According to head of campus security Ray Lee, Loy is on administrative leave and will not be available to return to Costa. There will be temporary measures taken to serve the school’s needs while he’s away.
“Detective Loy is still our SRO,” Hart said. “In the meantime, we call MBPD officers when we need MBPD assistance.”
Loy is also covering for the SRO of Manhattan Beach Unified School District elementary and middle schools, Claudia McShane, who is currently on maternity leave.
“Now, I’m the juvenile crimes detective in the MBPD,” Loy said. “There is no temporary replacement for me on campus.”
Some students believe that Loy’s absence will not warrant a major change in campus security. The school has already taken action to ensure that campus life continues smoothly. One new measure forces students to lock their athletic bags in lockers.
“The handling of crimes should not change because someone is gone,” junior Rafeed Kahn said. “Conduct and reaction to crimes will probably remain the same.”
Others believe that Loy’s absence will cause some on-campus crimes to be left unattended for a longer time.
“I see the discipline level of the school declining without Loy,” junior Tom Wissel said.
Though the amount of on-campus crime is low, Loy nonetheless is available if trouble occurs.
“The detective bureau staffing should improve in January,” Loy said. “But if I’m needed before then, I’m still a school resource.”
Leave a Reply