In Arcadia, a city in Southern California with a significant Asian American community, a recent incident involving a homeless individual attempting to break into a preschool has raised serious safety concerns among parents and educators. The school’s administration is expressing deep worry over the children’s safety.
Belinda Xu, who runs a preschool located on East Live Oak Avenue in Arcadia, recounted a troubling event that took place three weeks ago. A homeless person, reportedly suffering from mental health issues, approached her school and, finding no fence at the entrance, attempted to pull open a window screen in a bid to enter the campus. “Fortunately, the window was closed, so he was unable to get in, but his actions terrified the children inside the preschool,” Xu stated.
In response to this alarming incident, Xu quickly reached out to the city government to advocate for the installation of safety measures such as fences and walls around the school premises.
Located just a few blocks away from Xu’s preschool is a large affordable housing project named Elara, set to break ground next year. This project includes plans for 45 apartments designated for long-term occupancy by individuals experiencing homelessness. Xu expressed her anxiety about the potential influx of homeless individuals in the area, fearing it could significantly compromise the safety of the children.
According to Xu, there are at least four other preschools nearby, collectively accommodating 259 students. With a homeless housing facility positioned next to multiple schools, she urges the government to prioritize the safety of the children in their planning decisions.
Lucy Zhang, a volunteer with the Arcadia Safety Guardian Alliance (ASG), expressed her shock upon learning about the sizable housing project only at the end of September. She highlighted the proximity of several elementary schools in the area, emphasizing the growing concerns regarding student safety in light of the anticipated increase in the homeless population.
Susan Guo, the president of the Arcadia Chinese Association, criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the Elara housing project, mentioning that it did not undergo an environmental assessment process. She noted that residents have only recently become aware of the development, and expressed concern about jurisdictional issues: “If a security problem arises, will it be the Arcadia Police Department or the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department that takes responsibility? If the city frequently allocates police resources to this area, it could detract from the resources available for the city as a whole.”
Xu also participated in a city council meeting on the 15th, voicing her concerns about the safety risks posed by the nearby homeless housing to the children.
