Crimes in Palos Verdes surge

On Dec. 10, a close proximity to Peninsula High School, 25 illegal immigrants were confined under suspicion of smuggling drugs. Six women and nineteen men were arrested as soon as they landed ashore on Abalone Cove. The illegal immigrants have had to escape from Mexico and go abroad to the U.S. in a boat all while they tried their best not to get caught smuggling drugs. Although no one except these immigrants know the experience of going through all this, people still feel that these incidents can be very dangerous to the people in the community. “It’s alarming and concerning,” English teacher Anne-Marie Voegtlin said. “There were about 35 suspects and they caught 25, so that means that there were 10 fugitives not caught. So that is always concerning if you live near Abalone Cove.” In addition, on Dec. 12, a man and his companion were chased from Redondo Beach all the way to Palos Verdes for robbing a 7-Eleven store. Although the criminals were able to escape, the police held a search for four hours using helicopters and dogs. In the past, there have been many incidents involving the confinement of criminals. Every time, students are more aware about what has happened. When crimes occur near the Peninsula High School, students realize that we are vulnerable to crime in Palos Verdes as well. “The situation just gives students things to think about,” freshman Mary Kate Henke said. “things that we normally take for granted such as our education and the people around us.” Although we have been able to hear about these crimes, this is the first time where some students had the opportunity to see it happen right in front of their eyes. As dangerous as the situation can be, students took the situation well by trying to make something out of the experience.