What Happened to the Fence Surrounding Pierce College?

7-01-2021 

• The Interim President is announced. Aracely (Ara) Aguiar will serve from 7/1/21 until 6/31/22
• Aguiar was the Vice President of Academic Affairs at West LA College BRIEF: Interim President named - The Roundup (theroundupnews.com)

7-21-2021

Hillard Heintze "Campus Safety Security Report" is presented to the LACC District itemizing recommendations & cautions for the nine-campuses

• None of the campuses have gates or fences with motion detectors to alert the LASD CCB of potential intrusions during the Early Morning shift.
• Petty theft, vandalism and burglary remain consistent problems - based on most gates and fences on campus easily penetrable,
• Recommendations include enclose the campus with gates or fences to prevent unwanted and unlawful intrusions.
• Pierce has had increasing numbers of individuals experiencing homelessness who have trespassed on campus. Approximately three months ago, an encampment of homeless individuals was established on the west side of campus. The LASD CCB cleared the encampment but report that homeless individuals have broken into multiple buildings to seek shelter or steal property.
• The LASD CCB and Pierce officials have not developed a formal plan to address the issues the homeless individuals pose to the campus. This includes the mental health issues this community often experiences and the impact they might have on students, faculty and staff.
• LASD CCB officers must conduct continuous patrols to ensure the campus is secure. Station
  personnel also perform additional duties, such as locking and unlocking doors, traffic control, and
  providing directions and general information to students and visitors. However, these additional duties take them away from their main campus policing duties.
• The open campus has limited perimeter fencing, which allows anyone to walk on campus.
• The open grassy areas of campus presents a fire concern.
• The campus has minimal VSS capacity throughout the 426 acres. LACCD is updating the older analog cameras ...at least seven cameras point toward the ground and do not provide situational awareness for LASD CCB or Facilities Department personnel
• Although there are cameras that monitor the stadium field, none of the cameras capture the
  entry or exit points. Some described the camera views as “worthless” because the cameras
  do not work or they point in wrong direction (e.g., toward a wall).

   

• 9-1-2021
  • Los Angeles Community Colleges Final Budget for 2021-2022 is presented to the Board of Trustees for their approval 2021-2022 Final Budget (piercecollege.edu)
  • A line item of $408,308 for campus wide fencing at Pierce College was included
  • A line item for $110,000 for fencing at 22nd & Flower for L.A. Trade Tech College

• 3-17-22
  • Interim President Aguiar announced the school’s improvements will include the white fence that borders the school.
    “There have been quite a few emails and complaints about how our fence is broken, whether due to possible termites or cars driving into it,” Aguiar said. “We finally have received approval and a quote to replace our white fence that is falling apart, for the entire campus.” Good fences make good neighbors - The Roundup (theroundupnews.com)

• July 2022
  
  • The fence is torn down.
  • No public disclosure is easily located detailing who is repurposing/recycling the fence.
    
  • No replacement has been initiated, leaving the campus unsecure.
    

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