Computer Theft

* Re “When Computers Ditch School,� editorial, June 18:

Thank you for calling attention to the problem of computer theft, which faces not just LAUSD, but all our schools. After thieves used hacksaws to rip our computers out of their supposedly “secured housings,� we were informed by police that nothing will stop these thefts; we can only hope to slow the perpetrators down.

Computers are rarely bought without lock-down devices; however, your editorial badly underestimated the cost of fully securing dilapidated bungalows with steel grills, doors, door frames, etc., much less with sophisticated alarm systems! We would all like to see every classroom involved in technology, but the fact is, the money is not there to support our efforts. If you had to choose between buying three computers or securing one classroom, which would you choose?

PAULA MAHAN

Venice