Willow Glen Resident
News
Administrators are confident students are safe at high school
By Eli Segall
Two male juveniles, ages 14 and 17, and 19-year-old Michael Burriesci were arrested Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. after a confrontation at Willow Glen High School. The 17-year-old allegedly threatened to kill the school's custodian, according to San Jose police spokeswoman Gina Tepoorten.
None of the teenagers attended the high school.
This is the second weapons-related crime to occur at Willow Glen High School this month.
On Aug. 7, at approximately 10 p.m., three teens were robbed by masked gunmen after a late night dip in the school's swimming pool.
San Jose Unified School District spokeswoman Karen Fuqua said the Aug. 30 incident "could have happened at the shopping mall, at the park or any other open-access area."
She said the incident does not impact the security of the students in any way.
The custodian called police at 6:54 p.m. to report a fight on school grounds. She told the group to leave, at which point the 17-year-old took out his knife and threatened her, according to police.
Police on patrol near the school responded to the call and began pursuing the teens south on Cottle Avenue. The teenagers led police on a brief chase through Willow Glen before they were apprehended near the 2600 block of Cottle Avenue.
Burriesci was charged with reckless driving, driving under the influence and resisting arrest. The 14-year-old was charged with a probation violation and resisting arrest. The 17-year-old was charged with brandishing a weapon, issuing criminal threats and resisting arrest.
During the altercation, one officer suffered minor injuries while attempting to take the teenagers into custody.
Al Gallegos, the school's vice principal, reiterated Fuqua's comments, describing the episode as an "unfortunate incident" that could have happened anywhere given the school's open layout, which permits anyone to walk onto the grounds at any time.
"I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think it's an isolated incident," said Carol Myers, a former San Jose Unified School District board member who represented Willow Glen. "There's stuff going on out there."
Willow Glen native and parent Teri Kane remains unalarmed by the recent incidences.
Kane, whose son is a junior at the high school, said he is "perfectly safe," noting the recent episodes occurred after hours and had nothing to do with the school itself.
"It's kind of scary," she said, "but where are you going to move, behind Silver Creek with a locked gate? This could happen anywhere."
Longtime Willow Glen resident Mark Bruening said he was unaware of the incident involving the custodian, but does not fear for the safety of his son, a freshman at the high school. Bruening remains confident in school administrators' ability to keep the school safe, despite the presence of some students with a history of trouble.
"They have police on campus. Plus, Gallegos keeps close tabs on these guys," said Bruening, praising the vice principal, who also works as an active police officer.
Still, Bruening admits, he has spoken to other parents who are concerned about a perceived rise of violence and are scared to enroll their children in the school.
Mike Reilly, a Willow Glen High School faculty member for more than 20 years, says he talks with parents regularly, telling them the school is a safe place for kids to get an education.
Reilly's children attend Willow Glen Middle School, and he plans to enroll them in the high school.
