Park Hall Primary seeks stronger security after repeated school break-ins

Park Hall Primary and Infant School in Clarendon has endured repeated break-ins over several years, with thieves repeatedly damaging the premises and forcing officials to divert scarce funds toward repairs and security upgrades. School board chairman Karen Carty is pressing authorities for urgent measures to protect the campus and those who use it.

The latest intrusion left broken windows, forced locks and classrooms ransacked after thieves entered under cover of night — a scene staff and students have come to know too well. Carty said it was striking how often the campus has been targeted and appealed to the Ministry of Education for help, noting that it remains unclear what the culprits are seeking.

"It's surprising to know that the school has been broken into so often. And I really want to appeal to the ministry. And when you analyze the break-ins, what they are looking for, we don't know. Because this is a school that needs more help than damage," she said.

According to Carty, stolen equipment and widespread damage have compounded the problem. The most serious episode, she said, came a few months ago when intruders allegedly attempted to set the building ablaze from the cooking-gas area after failing to find valuables.

She argued that such attacks on a community school cannot continue, stressing that repairs after each incident come at a real cost and drawing the conclusion that those responsible are local rather than coming from other parishes specifically to strike Park Hall.

"For persons to be breaking into the school, it is very bad. And I am not going to accept something like this being going on. Remember that when they do break-ins and the school has to be repaired, it comes with a cost. And as far as I am concerned, nobody's leaving from other parishes to come to Clarendon in Park Hall to break Park Hall Primary," Carty said.

She is calling for a proper security system to guard students and staff and to secure the grounds after hours, including CCTV coverage, metal doors and grilled entrances.

"Implement a security system to protect students and staff and to secure the premises at night. Also, I'm appealing for a camera system and to upgrade the doors at the school to metals and also for the doors to be grilled for safety," she said.

School officials are asking anyone with information that could help stop further attacks to come forward.