Tag! You're Hill!

Robert T. Hill Junior High in Northeast Dallas now has one more security-related concern to add onto it's resume: gang graffiti.

According to sources, Hill Junior High was "tagged" and defaced with the graffiti sometime Thursday.

The graffiti, which defaced the front doors as well as an area behind the buildings near several new portable buildings, was still visible on Monday.

Dallas.Org will offer a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and felony conviction of those responsible for defacing the school.

Hill Junior High School has been in the news on several occasions.

In 2003, two students managed to engage in sex in a classroom undetected by staff members at the time.

In 2006, a student was beaten apparently because of the color of his shirt.

Former principal Esther Contreras did not file a police report at the time. When a report was filed a week later, DISD police refused to take it citing too much time had passed since the incident.

Recently, the school came under fire by neighbors after DISD decided to place portable classrooms on the perimeter of the property--far away from the main building and the watchful eye of administrators.

"During gang recruitment season," remarked one woman, a neighbor and former Irving school teacher, at a recent meeting, "I watch cars drive up and down the street behind the school 'hollering' at the children.

"There is nobody providing security to these buildings."

"I worry about kids being able to hide behind buildings [undetected by staff]," the woman added.

Indeed, the school plans to house 8th grade--the most at-risk grade level for gang activity, in the new portables--which can be accessed without passing through security screening or metal detectors.

Security concerns, however, were apparently never taken into account when placing the new portable buildings.

"I have not heard any security questions," commented DISD's project manager Michael Brown, "the school has not voiced any concerns."

This didn't surprise area resident Jim Napper who first called the issues regarding the portable buildings into question.

"There has always been a communication issue," said Napper.

DISD Chief Operating Officer Eric Anderson noted that the District operates its own police and security department.

When DISD police were contacted, Sunday, they were unaware of the graffiti at the school.

A Dallas Police officer, who asked his name be withheld, identified the graffiti as gang related.

"It's advertising in advance [of school opening]," commented the officer, "these guys want it known that they're around."

Neighbors, however, simply want the problems at Hill addressed.