Nov 2, 2009 8:41 pm US/Pacific
Lights Installed At Richmond HS, Cameras To Come
RICHMOND (CBS 5 / BCN) ―
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Richmond High School.
CBS
Lights have been installed on Richmond High School's campus in an effort to increase safety after the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl at the school's homecoming dance on Oct. 24.
West Contra Costa Unified School District Superintendent Bruce Harter said Monday that plans to install the lights had been in the works for sometime, but unfortunately they had not yet been installed the night of the rape, when police say as many as 10 people attacked the victim while a dozen others watched.
The girl, a Richmond High School student, was "brutally attacked and raped, beaten and robbed over a two and a half hour ordeal," Richmond police Lt. Mark Gagan said.
The victim spent five days in the hospital after the attack, according to Gagan.
Harter said the school board would also be accepting bids to install 120 security cameras on the campus at its meeting Wednesday night. The cameras will be accessible through the Internet so Richmond police and the school district will be able to monitor activity on the campus remotely.
The school board will also be considering replacing fencing and gates around the campus. The design of the project has been completed and is awaiting final approval.
Security issues at Richmond High School
were highlighted in a CBS 5 Investigates report last year. The report
prompted the school superintendent to address the safety issues, and led to
a decision earlier this year to install new security cameras and fencing at the school.
Police so far have arrested six suspects in connection with the rape. Four of those suspects have been charged, one has been released because there was insufficient evidence to charge him and the sixth suspect is still in custody awaiting charges.
Deputy District Attorney Dara Cashman said Monday afternoon that she was still reviewing the case against San Pablo resident Jose Carlos Montano, 18. She has until Wednesday afternoon to file charges or Montano will be released.
The school board meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Lovonya De Jean Middle School at 3400 Macdonald Ave. in Richmond.
Richmond High School students and teachers along with community leaders plan to hold a candlelight vigil Tuesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the high school's football field at 1250 23rd St. in Richmond.
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)
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