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Reluctantly, Clinton Adjusts to Safety Measures

By HEATHER HADDON

Things have calmed down at DeWitt Clinton High School, but students and parents still aren’t cheering new security measures established there last month.

Staff have worked hard to improve the situation after a major student walkout last month, but for a school that has long cherished its openness, it’s been a bumpy transition to a more restrictive environment.

“It’s getting so overcrowded,” said Michelle Montalvo, 17, as her friend nodded in agreement. “It’s our last year here, but it’s only going to get worse.”

Metal detectors and bag scanners were installed at the Bedford Park school’s entrances this summer after growing concerns about violence within and outside the building. The capacity of its cafeteria was nearly tripled to accommodate a “captive lunch,” which prohibits kids from going out to eat. Surveillance cameras were installed in school hallways, and cell phones were banned.

Parents and students were notified of the changes in letters and school-wide discussions, but discontent grew as fall approached. Clinton made citywide news when hundreds of students walked out of class after the devices were activated the second week of school (see sidebar).

The initially long lines have shortened since Clinton opened three entrances and turned on more scanners. The region is also sending 10 additional officers to scan students. “As soon as I get more people, it will be better,” said Alex Castillo, Clinton’s head of security.

Students seem even more frustrated about the captive lunch. Three classrooms were knocked down to expand the basement cafeteria, and an estimated 800 students eat during each of five lunch periods.

“Let me tell you about lunch,” said Sophia Drummond, 15, exasperatedly. “There are thousands of kids pushing each other to get inside. It’s crazy.”

Mariana Meha, 14, told a similar story. “The lunch is packed,” said Mariana, of Gun Hill Road. “You can’t even walk through it.”

As for the food itself, staff are working on improving the lunch options in tandem with students, who have formed a nutrition committee. The head chef for the city Department of Education (DOE) came to evaluate Clinton’s menu last week. They are also trying to create a more restaurant-like atmosphere, and Geraldine Ambrosio, Clinton’s principal, is looking to convert the school’s interior courtyard into an outdoor lounge for seniors.

Until then, some students say they avoid the cafeteria by snacking and going to local restaurants after school.

But area merchants have felt the diminishing business. “During the lunchtime, it’s so quiet here,” said S.R. Kim, the manager of Pine Deli on East 208th Street. “I have 15 to 20 percent less business a day.”

For Ana Justiniano, who runs the Burger King on Jerome Avenue, it used to feel like she fed the whole school. “It’s bad for business, but it’s good that it’s less crazy,” she said.

Clinton must now shoulder the burden of housing roughly 4,700 teenagers all day.
Several students reported that fights within the building are on the upswing, and parents are concerned about that possibility. “You can’t lock that many people up in the building all day and expect nothing to happen,” said Cathy Chambers, the head of Clinton’s Parent Association (PA).

Letting kids eat out was actually an anomaly. Very few schools in the city let students go outside for lunch, according to the DOE.

Milton Roman, the school’s parent coordinator, said that managing the situation has been stressful. “Things are a little fragile,” he said. The school has started policing hallways and stairwells for students lingering between periods and Castillo believes it has helped.

Mayor Bloomberg has emphasized school safety, and metal detectors have become increasingly common throughout the system. There are currently 70 schools citywide with scanners, including most Bronx high schools. Bronx Science (just down the block from Clinton) and Lehman High School were the only two large Bronx high schools, to Castillo’s knowledge, that lack metal detectors.

The Police Department’s school safety unit recommended that Clinton beef up its security after at least five criminal incidents involving weapons took place during the 2003-2004 school year, according to the DOE. The school began installing the scanners last year.

Still, many students say they had felt safe. “I understand their concerns about weapons,” Sophia said. “But our school is really good.”

Chambers agreed. “Our school has a very high Regents diploma rate, and they are saying that these kids need to be locked up?” asked Chambers, who presided over a very angry PA meeting last month. She is now circulating a petition among other parents.

Clinton staff members tend to see the changes as a difficult necessity. “It’s unfortunate,” Roman said. “But some kids are trying to bring banned things in, and their peers have been victimized by this.”

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