Student identified in false alarm

The student who set off a fire alarm at Carson High School moments before classes ended Thursday was almost immediately identified.

Two surveillance cameras in the northeast hallways of the school near the gym caught the student pressing the button to sound the alarm.

"The camera system has been invaluable for solving crimes at this school," said Vice Principal Fred Perdomo.

The cameras are two of 36 throughout the school. The system was updated to color digital cameras with $150,000 of a bond approved by voters in 2000.

Perdomo said officials were able to identify the student shortly after the alarm was set off at 1:53 p.m. They planned to contact his parents that evening.

"Discipline procedures will be applied," Perdomo said. "This was not just a school disturbance, it was a major school disturbance. He didn't just upset a class, he emptied the whole school."

Firefighters also responded, but left when it was determined to be a false alarm.

Perdomo said it was the first false alarm set off by a student at the high school in about four years. He credits the camera system, which has the ability to zoom in on a scene, for the low rate.

"It cuts out the alibi that it was an accident," he said.

Punishment will be determined by the student's dean. The student may also be cited for breaking the law.

Perdomo discourages other students from similar actions.

"It's not a good idea," he said. "It's against school policy, and it's against the law."