Middle-schoolers recant attack story Three Correia Middle School students in Loma Portal lied to both police and school administrators recently, fabricating a story about a man assaulting them, according to officials. They trio made up the story as a cover for leaving school grounds without permission, according to documentation sent to parents of the school’s students in late March. The girls falsely claimed a 6-foot-tall black male assaulted them and tried to kidnap them as they walked to the school along Valeta Street, according to a letter e-mailed to parents by Correia Principal Patricia Ladd. The letter, dated Tuesday, April 14, states the incident did not occur. San Diego Police Department spokeswoman Mònica Muñoz said parents should remind their children that knowingly filing a false police report is illegal. “It’s important for anybody to understand that if you’re the victim of a crime, we need to hear about it,” Muñoz said. “But you have to be completely honest. The big deal here is that we dedicated resources to look for somebody that didn’t exist.” Muñoz said that was time police could have spent helping actual victims. Police are not taking steps to file criminal charges against the students, though the three girls were suspended, Ladd said. Still, Ladd said school officials, the police and the community had to treat the story as true until proven otherwise. “In one way, you’re relieved that it did not occur,” Ladd said. “And another way you’re concerned with the moral implications… of making a story up. This is an opportunity for lessons to be learned on many different levels.” Supervisors call for sheriff candidates The County Board of Supervisors is seeking candidates interested in replacing Sheriff William Kolender, who plans to retire July 2 after 14 years of service. The board will appoint an interim county sheriff to carry out the rest of Kolender’s term through January 2011. Candidates must submit an application by 5 p.m. June 10 in person at the office of the Clerk of the Board, located at the County Administration Building, 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 402. The County Board of Supervisors is expected to review the qualifications for all applicants at a hearing on June 16 and will select no more than five finalists. On June 23, the board will review and select an interim sheriff. The sheriff oversees 4,000 employees. Candidates must fulfill specific requirements, including a certain level of experience and education, listed at www.sdcounty.ca.gov/cob/sheriffvacancy. Torrey Pines Elementary Class of 2002 will gather Members of Torrey Pines Elementary School’s class of 2002 will gather next Thursday, June 4 to honor retiring teacher Mr. Berry. The send-off party starts at 4 p.m. at the kindergarten area on the north end of the campus. No RSVPs are required.
