Fights and threats surge in LA schools

In the two thousand twenty-five to two thousand twenty-six school year, LAUSD recorded six thousand one hundred thirty-one fights, a twenty-one percent jump from four years earlier.

Student threats also climbing

The district recorded four thousand fifteen student threats in two thousand twenty-five to two thousand twenty-six, an eleven point five percent increase from the two thousand twenty-two to two thousand twenty-three school year.

Experts call numbers concerning

Ronald Stephens, executive director of the National School Safety Center and professor of education emeritus at Pepperdine, reviewed the LAUSD data and called the numbers very concerning.

Lack of consequences cited

Monica Harmon, executive director of Speak Out Against Bullying Inc., says students report incidents but face no suspension. She argues there need to be tougher restrictions and real consequences.

“There's no consequences. There needs to be consequences.”

District must strengthen supervision

Stephens says LAUSD should enhance supervision, training and intervention. He notes the district has a safe school plan but needs additional steps to address emerging red flags.

“It's about having a physical presence and a care for students.”

Police increase school outreach

Los Angeles Police Department Captain Eric Eppolito says his agency is making a focused effort to increase school outreach this year to prevent smaller problems from escalating.

Death sparks safety concerns

Parents rallied for more police presence at schools following the death of seventeen-year-old Xavier Nungaray at Franklin High School. LAUSD parents called for increased police presence at a rally outside district headquarters.

Some safety metrics improving

Weapons-related incidents fell thirty-eight percent over four years to nine hundred twenty-three last school year. Suicide risk incidents dropped fourteen percent to ten thousand fifty-five, though this remains the most pervasive safety problem.

District emphasizes prevention programmes

LAUSD says it continues strengthening prevention through Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports and Restorative Practices, while providing training on mental health and creating safe school environments.