(October 26, 2001) -- One of four video cameras, valued at approximately $2,400, was found missing from Russ Nichols’ TV production and multimedia class Oct. 8. Students were using all four cameras that morning to conduct interviews with each other. At the end of the period, he discovered only three cameras for four cases.

“I couldn’t believe at first that any student in my class would steal a camera,” Nichols stated. “But I could only conclude that one of the students had sneaked it out.”
According to Officer Sue Shine, the school has reported the theft to the Glendale Police Department. Shine said that the crime is considered a felony, and the guilty party will be “penalized to the maximum extent under the law.”

The multimedia teacher said he believes that his mistake was “having no tracking method in place,” but will from now on place restrictions on the use of cameras in his class.
Junior multimedia student Brenda Zepeda said, “[The administration is] still going to find out sooner or later. But they’re mad at all of us, not just one person.”

Nichols, who stressed a professional ism in class, said that “this [theft] was the most unprofessional act of all.”

Principal Doug Dall said that he was “ extremely disappointed that one student would compromise a program. When one student chooses to do this, it puts the whole system in jeopardy.”

Nichols has proffered an anonymous return of the camera via email or telephone voice mail  in an effort to regain the equiptment. The person may email him at rusn@aol.com, or leave a message by calling (323) 221-0821. “I am not especially interested in finding out who took [the camera],” the teacher states, “I simply want it returned.”