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Tafuna High School PTA appeals to Tualauta faipule over vandalism problem

Tafuna High School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) President Milton Taufa’asau is appealing to Taulauta faipule Larry Sanitoa for assistance following the vandalism of THS for the last two months, where a total of eight classroom door knobs were crazy-glued with coins stuffed inside, and nearly the entire campus was painted with brown and purple graffiti.

 

In an email raising his concerns, Taufa’asau urged Sanitoa to “push this issue with DOE in getting security, as it is the biggest high school on island and we continue to request for security, but with no answer.”

 

The Tafuna PTA had paid for night security as well as paid for a contractor to clean up the campus. The security was contracted during the school year only, but it is also needed in the summer.

 

Taufa’asau pointed out that it was “a good thing we had funding to take care of the security, but we don't have enough to keep them just to secure our campus, fa'amolemole lava.”

 

Sanitoa in response called on the Director of the Criminal Justice Agency, Keith Gebauer “urgently requesting your assistance to look into any available funding source from the CJA to contract a security firm or hire security guards for THS.”

 

He pointed out that his correspondence was on behalf of the Tafuna High School PTA and the school administration.

 

The faipule stated that the school facilities have been the target of repeated vandalism and break-ins warranting a night patrol to prevent the graffiti problems now plaguing THS.

 

“It is unfortunate that these ongoing problems have not been resolved due to lack of funding to implement a security detail, as the Department of Education (DOE) could not help in hiring a security guard.”

 

The Tafuna High PTA was able to assist by providing funds to hire a security guard. However since May, the PTA could no longer continue funding for the security. Hence, this request to seek CJA’s help, as the vandalism is a serious problem.”

 

Sanitoa further stated that he will be seeking the Department of Public Safety’s assistance in providing regular patrols for the surrounding areas of the school campus, especially during the summer break.

 

Samoa News should point out that a part of Tafuna High School campus is nearly adjacent to the DPS western substation and the Office of Motor Vehicles track.

 

Commissioner of Public Safety William Haleck told Samoa News issues such as these do call for the police force to be active in responding to such matters. Haleck said he will definitely look into this matter given the importance of the school system for tomorrow’s generation.