New security measures are being put in place at Parkside Elementary School in San Mateo just days after a man wandered onto campus and abducted a 9-year-old student.
Parkside Principal Lori Fukumoto said in a statement on the school's website that staff was working to implement changes to current safety practices "that will improve security for all students."
"These changes are being taught to the children this week and will be fully implemented beginning Monday, Oct. 1, 2012," Fukumoto said.
A meeting with parents was held at the school Wednesday morning to discuss the changes. Effective immediately, all gates to the Parkside campus will be locked during the day, and all visitors must register in the main office and wear a visitor badge while on campus, officials said.
The changes in security protocol were prompted by a series of alleged offenses of 25-year-old Bradley Mrozek of San Francisco, who allegedly trespassed on three different school campuses Friday, ending with the abduction at Parkside Elementary School.
Mrozek is accused of walking into the Parkside girls' bathroom and grabbing a 9-year-old girl, covering her mouth with his hand, and carrying her off campus, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.
The girl was able to fight off her abductor by kicking him and throwing rocks, and she ran back to the school campus and immediately reported the incident.
Police responded and identified Mrozek as a possible suspect in two incidents that occurred at other schools earlier on Friday, Wagstaffe said.
At Bayside STEM Academy -- a middle school in San Mateo -- Mrozek allegedly trespassed on campus and made contact with as many as four students, making lude comments and offering alcohol to two boys, Wagstaffe said.
Mrozek also went to Horrall Elementary School, where he was escorted off campus by an administrator.
Mrozek was arrested on Saturday morning and has since been charged with eight felonies, including two counts of kidnapping, one count of child molestation, three counts of trespassing, one count of child annoyance and one count of offering alcohol to a minor.
Mrozek is being held without bail and is expected to enter a plea on Oct. 2, Wagstaffe said.
-- Bay City News
Don’t be left out of the conversation taking place in Belmont--Sign up for our daily newsletter|Like Belmont|Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Start your own blog
Don’t be left out of the conversation taking place in San Carlos--Sign up for our daily newsletter | Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter| Start a blog
