School in São Paulo Stripped Bare by Thieves

The Escola Estadual Professor Porcino Rodrigues in Itapecerica da Serra has become the victim of a brazen crime spree. Over the course of nine days, the rural institution was burglarized three separate times, leaving the campus effectively defenseless.

Thieves systematically stripped the facility of its most vital components. The attacks, occurring on December 28, December 30, and January 6, have plunged the school into darkness and left it vulnerable to the elements.

With the academic year set to begin on February 2, the community is now facing a crisis. The school serves 804 students ranging from 11 to 17 years old, covering the final years of elementary education, high school, and technical courses.

The perpetrators did not merely break in; they dismantled the school's operational capabilities. According to reports, the thieves targeted the infrastructure that keeps the lights on and the gates closed.

The inventory of stolen items reveals the calculated nature of the thefts:

• Electrical cabling and wiring
• Wiring for external reflectors
• Surveillance monitoring cameras
• The motor for the parking gate

The result is a campus that is effectively shut down. A school employee, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that the thefts occurred in broad daylight. The damage is comprehensive, affecting the entire electrical grid, including the gymnasium's lighting, the interphone system, and the security cameras meant to protect the grounds.

The immediate aftermath of the thefts has created chaos for the school administration and local families. Without electricity or a functioning telephone system, basic administrative tasks like enrollment and re-enrollment have become difficult.

The physical state of the school is now dire. The exterior grounds are being reclaimed by nature, with high grass and brush taking over the property. This overgrowth, exacerbated by frequent rains, further compromises the security of the perimeter.

Parents have been left scrambling to secure spots for their children elsewhere. Fátima Aparecida de Freitas, the mother of a student, revealed that the school informed her that the outlets were experiencing short circuits. The guidance she received was stark: "change units" for her daughter.

"The school informed me that the outlets were presenting short circuits, and the guidance I received was to change units for my daughter."

While the situation at Professor Porcino Rodrigues is severe, it is not an isolated incident. It reflects a broader pattern of crime targeting educational facilities across the state of São Paulo.

Statistics from the Secretaria da Segurança Pública (SSP) paint a grim picture. Between January and November of last year, the state recorded 1,574 thefts against schools. This averages out to approximately five burglaries per day throughout the state.

These figures underscore a systemic vulnerability. The targeting of schools, particularly in rural or less patrolled areas, appears to be a calculated risk for criminals seeking materials like copper and electronics.

Authorities and education officials have issued statements regarding the security breach and the path forward. The Secretaria da Segurança Pública (SSP) confirmed that the local precinct registered three separate police reports regarding the incidents.

In response to the crisis, the SSP announced an increase in police presence. Measures include:

• Reinforced policing around the school and the Olaria neighborhood
• Preventive patrols
• Ronda Escolar (School Patrol) by the Military Police

Meanwhile, the Secretaria da Educação (Seduc) has acknowledged the theft. Regarding the power outage, officials stated that a "paliative repair" has been conducted to restore basic power. A process for definitive repairs was scheduled to begin on January 13.

"The Regional Education Unit of Itapecerica da Serra regrets that the school unit has been the victim of theft."

Regarding the overgrowth, Seduc attributed the rapid growth to heavy rains but confirmed that pruning was requested and scheduled for the same day as the electrical repairs.

The Escola Estadual Professor Porcino Rodrigues stands as a symbol of the challenges facing the region's educational infrastructure. While repairs are promised and patrols increased, the damage to the school's security and the trust of the community is significant.

The start of the school year on February 2 remains the critical deadline. However, the reality on the ground—dark classrooms, broken gates, and overgrown fields—suggests a difficult road ahead for the 804 students who call this school home.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of public institutions to organized theft, leaving families and educators to wonder if the measures taken will be enough to prevent a fourth strike.