Police Chief Telford Defends Peninsula High

A lot has been said about and the problems its students could cause if the campus was relocated to another city.

But the San Mateo Daily Journal reported today that San Bruno Police Chief Neil Telford has come to the school's defense, saying in a letter to the San Mateo Union High School superintendent that the city has enjoyed a positive relationship with the school since it has been in the city.

Currently, the school is located at the old Crestmoor High site. But since , Superintendent Scott Laurence has been working on finding a more suitable location for Peninsula High.

In recent months, proposals to relocate the continuation school to an existing high school campus in San Mateo have been met with opposition from the San Mateo Police Department and parents there who have expressed concerns about gang violence.

According to San Mateo police, the Daily Journal reported, about 39 percent of Peninsula students have criminal records and another 20 percent have been involved in gangs, although there is dispute about those numbers.

Telford told Laurence in his letter that he wanted to offer another view:

Telford’s intent, he said, was not to second guess the concern of the San Mateo Police Department. Only they can speak to concerns in their city, he said. He simply wanted to share the positive experience San Bruno has had with Peninsula within its city limits. 

“The San Bruno Police Department has always enjoyed a positive and proactive working relationship with the administration and faculty of Peninsula High School. As a result of this relationship, students are able to attend classes in a safe and supportive environment,” Telford wrote, adding he hoped the experience will be considered in the decision-making process. 

Why is Peninsula High catching such a bad rap?