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Chula Vista schools briefed on racist graffiti at Camarena; FBI and police involved, district launches preschool safety pilot
Summary
District safety staff told the board that racial graffiti at Camarena Elementary prompted a joint response with the FBI and Chula Vista Police and that a suspect was detained within days. The district announced a preschool–grade 2 pilot called “Rocket Rules” to teach students basic safety awareness; cost described as roughly $145 per workbook and a few thousand dollars total.
District safety staff described a racist vandalism incident at Camarena Elementary and said law enforcement acted quickly to identify and detain a suspect. At a presentation to the Chula Vista Elementary School District board, Amed Wiggins and Mr. Romero credited parents, district staff and the Chula Vista Police Department, and said the FBI assisted in an on‑site threat assessment and investigation.
“This was a team effort … and within five days we had someone detained,” Amed Wiggins said during the presentation. District staff presented photos of the vandalism and described multiple acts of graffiti in student‑facing areas.
Staff also introduced a new safety‑education pilot, described in the meeting as “Rocket Rules,” aimed at preschool through second‑grade students. The program uses a costumed character and short in‑class presentations plus a take‑home workbook. Presenters said the pilot materials cost “about $145 per workbook” and “a couple thousand dollars” for the initial rollout, and that the district plans to begin the pilot after fall break.
Trustees asked how the pilot would be staffed and whether resource officers or school safety staff would participate in classroom visits. Staff said the pilot will be delivered by district safety personnel working with school teams and invited trustees to observe once the program begins.
The board acknowledged parents who helped during the investigation and thanked Chula Vista Police and the FBI for their work. No formal action beyond the presentation was taken during the meeting; staff said follow‑up reports would come through the superintendent’s office if additional security investments are required.
