11 Charged With Theft From Detroit Public Schools
DETROIT (WWJ) - The Wayne County Prosecutor's office has announced charges against 11 people in 10 cases of theft from Detroit Public Schools.
Stolen by some of those being charged were netbook computers and office equipment. Others charged are accused of embezzling money from school cafeterias. Authorities said one former cashier helped herself to money on a daily basis.
DPS Emergency Manager Roy Roberts is putting those who would steal from the district on notice.
"It seems that there has been a culture of people who would just believe that we are easy pickings and that we're not paying attention. And they've taken advantage of it for a long period of time," said Roberts.
"We're not going to accept it anymore. We're trying so desperately hard to get our arms around educating the young people of Detroit," he said. "We're just not going to accept these distractions or people stealing."
Roberts joined the Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy for the announcement of charges.
Worthy told WWJ Newsradio 950's Pat Sweeting this investigation has been ongoing for years into what has been a pervasive problem.
"What does continue to surprise me, or I guess amaze me is a better word, is that people think they can just waltz into these schools and steal this very expensive equipment for our children knowing that our children are suffering greatly when it comes to education," Worthy said.
Meantime, schools officials said the district will be upgrading its alarm systems.
