Earlier this semester at Venice, an incident took place involving an aerosol spray, according to principal Yavonka Hairston-Truitt.

Hairston-Truitt said that a physical altercation broke out between two students, and as the altercation began to die down, an unidentified student discharged an aerosol spray up into the air. 

The aerosol spray ended up on one of the students a part of the altercation as well as a member of the Boys 2 Gentleman program, a third-party organization on campus that provides support services. Hairston-Truitt said that the two people affected were instantly taken care of by the school nurse and are now okay.

As of now, the investigation is still ongoing, according to Dean of Students Dave Galley.

Since the incident, the use of aerosol sprays as a tool for self-defense—including oleoresin capsicum (commonly known as pepper spray)—has been on the minds of students and administrators alike. 

We talked to various members of the Venice community to hear what they think about aerosol sprays like pepper spray.

Administration and Staff

Principal Yavonka Hairston-Truitt: “We are watching to see if it becomes a bigger issue and if we need to send parent communication out about this. Anyone caught in possession of aerosol spray or brandishing it will be put up for expulsion and will definitely be suspended, because now you’re taking a level of danger to it. Weapon play is the making of danger and unsafety. This is one of the last places where people express that they feel unsafe, and I want to do everything in my power to maintain that for my students.”

Dean of Student Dave Galley: “The alleged pepper spray incident is something that has never occurred before. While I believe there is a homelessness crisis in LA and students may feel unsafe walking home, I do think that students should feel safe while they are on school grounds. LAUSD as a district is strictly against possessing any weapon on school grounds.” 

Community Representative Kelly Lordie: “”I feel as if the Venice High school campus is safe, because my daughter feels safe. I’m more concerned for students safety when walking home from school rather than when they are on campus. There are many homeless encampments that are right along the path that students take for the bus or school. I think if students want to carry pepper spray on them it’s a conversation we need to have, we have to understand why they feel unsafe, and we need to make sure they understand the correct way of how and when to use it.”

Safety Staff David Gaitan: “ I don’t think students should bring pepper spray to school at all. I would have to confiscate the pepper spray because it is not allowed. Although I think it could possibly be necessary for after school, we would have to have a discussion with the student on why they need it. But they can not have it on school grounds, maybe they can drop it off at the office for the day. Also you should consider if the pepper spray would it even help, or be used against you if there is a threat. ” 

Seniors

Luis Campenado: “I would feel safe on school grounds knowing that some students may be carrying pepper spray, as long as it is not a gun.” 

Valerie Hernandez: “I believe that anyone should have the right to carry pepper spray especially if a student works late and has to walk home.”

Jessica Lopez: “ I used to walk home for three years, and I would only feel unsafe when I would walk home at night after cheerleading practice. But I really don’t feel the need to bring weapons in order to feel safe. I feel as if my phone is enough, because if anything or anyone tries to harm me, I can call 911. I believe that something bad can happen with the weapon if it gets into the wrong hands.”

Faith Florez: “ My family has access to my location so I think that that’s enough, I don’t think carrying a weapon is necessary, because even though there might be a potential threat I don’t like to harm people regardless. Knowing that some students may possess a weapon would make me feel really unsafe, I would ask to go into homeschooling.”

Juniors

Diamond Nerio Garcia: “Although I do think that it would help me feel more secure walking home having pepper spray on me, I do believe that if any fights were to happen at school, students who possess pepper spray would use it against other students. This would make me not feel safe.”

Angela Maximo: “I do feel unsafe, there’s a lot of men out there and it makes me uncomfortable walking home. Having pepper spray definitely helps me feel more safe. I would still feel safe to go to school knowing other students may be carrying it. At the end of the day it ensures the safety of students.”

Sophomore

Ashley Gomez: “I believe we should be allowed to have pepper spray because some girls have to go on the bus or when they have to walk home there can be some dangerous people. Maybe the dean should be able to confiscate it and give it back at the end of the day.”

Freshman

Angelina Lopez Orea: “ I think people should be allowed to carry pepper spray, so they can get home safely. My friend has to take the bus and walk home late and carrying a pepper spray can help her feel safe. There should be some rules on allowing pepper spray at school to get home safely.”