Deirdre Newman
NEWPORT BEACH -- Some parents whose kids have participated in the
city's after-school and summer recreational programs are unsure whether
they will re-enroll their children in the future after a youth leader was
arrested for lewd conduct on Friday.
Police said Trenton Michael Veches "inappropriately touched" at least
two children over the last four years he has worked for the city as a
recreational coordinator. Investigators seized several compact discs with
images of partially clothed children who seem to be boys between the ages
of 6 and 10, said Newport Beach Police Sgt. Steve Shulman.
"I would certainly have to think about whether I will have [my kids]
do basketball this summer," said Charlotte Baca, whose children attended
the program at Mariners Park.
In addition to that location, Veches also supervised programs at West
Newport Community Center and the Community Youth Center in Corona del
Mar. More than 600 kids attended the programs in the last year.
While city officials said a thorough background check was conducted on
Veches, some parents said they expect the city to take greater measures
to protect their children.
"I'm sure they'll implement more supervision for the supervisors,"
said Susie Call, whose two children participated in the after-school
program last year.
But some say it's up to parents to educate their children about the
warning signs of inappropriate behavior.
"It happens everywhere," said Jonathan Davis, who has two sons at
Mariners Elementary School. "That's why you have to have a conversation
with [your kids] before it happens. I don't have concerns because [my
kids] have street smarts."
Fears about protecting children from familiar adults have been on the
rise lately with a rash of arrests for lewd conduct and molestation in
the area.
Last Tuesday, the trial of a 49-year-old former Mesa Verde resident
who is accused of five counts of child molestation began.
In March, another Mesa Verde resident was charged with two counts of
felony child molestation after two girls informed police of separate
alleged incidents at his house. One of the girls was allegedly molested
while selling candy door to door.
Concerns about children's safety have also permeated the discussion
about a new Mariners Branch Library, which would serve children from
Mariners Elementary School along with the public.
During a rally Saturday to raise funds for the library, Newport Beach
City Manager Homer Bludau circulated a letter explaining the
circumstances around Veches' arrest and assuring parents that the new
library is being planned with safety as a top priority. Bludau said that
library supporters will now have to work harder to address safety
concerns after Veches' alleged behavior was brought to light.
"We will do that with the physical structure of the building and with
rules to make sure adults can't be with individual children one-on-one,"
Bludau said.
* Deirdre Newman covers education. She may be reached at (949)
574-4221 or by e-mail at o7 deirdre.newman@latimes.comf7 .
