Investigation continues into hidden camera found in Mecca elementary school
School officials are speaking out after a hidden camera was found in a classroom at Saul Martinez elementary school in Mecca.
“As soon as the administration was made aware of that, an active investigation began,” said Maria Gandera , Assistant Superintendent, Coachella Valley Unified School District.
Since the discovery of a small hidden camera under a desk at Saul Martinez elementary, all Coachella Valley Unified School District teachers were urged to search their classrooms for unauthorized cameras.
However, parents are worried and wondering about what exactly that camera captured and if there are more. ” It is something to worry about. Because right now we don’t know where the kids are safe. We need to know who put the camera in the classroom…maybe there are some in the restrooms. I’m worried because I have two daughters, ” said Ana Velez, whose daughters attend Saul Martinez elementary.
And some are calling for increased security. ” The teachers need to have more security in the area for the kids to be safe. Right now it’s just this camera. But later on it might be something bigger. If someone is hiding a camera like that, then it’s not for something good. The teachers and the security staff need to put more attention on these things not only here in the school in Mecca, but in the entire Coachella Valley, ” said Enrique Vasquez, a grandfather of children at Saul Martinez elementary.
According to an email from the president of the Coachella Valley Teachers Association, if the camera was installed by an adult, it would result in a misdemeanor.
While CVUSD says they can’t comment yet on *who might have placed the camera or why, they don’t want parents worried about what was recorded. “There is no indication that at any moment in time that any media has been leaked from the camera that has been found at that school site that should worry any parent,” said Gandera .
CVUSD also says they don’t have a timeline for this investigation, but once it is complete, they will then decide what action to take against the person responsible.
