The holidays are a busy time of year – especially for vandals, thieves and arsonists looking to take advantage of empty school campuses.

In light of this, SCUSD is asking the community for help in keeping schools safe and secure over winter break (December 24 through January 8 – school resumes Monday, January 9).

“Most of our schools are surrounded by homes, and we need those neighbors to join us in protecting these valuable and sometimes vulnerable community centers,” said Sacramento Police Lt. Katherine Lester, who heads SCUSD security services.

Copper theft, in particular, costs California schools hundreds of thousands of dollars every year – money that most districts cannot afford to lose.

All SCUSD campuses will be locked and alarmed during the break, and all security cameras will be monitored. Neighbors are asked to be on the lookout for suspicious activity and to report it. “The schools belong to the community,” said Lt. Lester, “and we need the entire community to help us guard them.”

For schools within Sacramento city limits call 264-5471. Residents outside city boundaries should call the county Sheriff’s Department at 874-5115. School security can also be called 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 643-7444.