by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Astumbo Middle School marked the latest campus to be targeted by criminals. The vandalism was so bad that students had to be sent home early.

"We always have to think positive and continue to make sure that education still proceeds," said Robert Martinez. "And that's what we're going to do because we're doing it for our students." Astumbo MS may have been broken into but Martinez, the school's principal isn't letting that damper their spirits. "We will work hard to get them back in place and back into the classrooms," he added.

In all 18 classrooms, three faculty lounges and eight offices were trashed. "On the top of my head based on my observation computers were broken they were smashed into half, my office was really damaged," he said. "So there's fire extinguishers were ignited 528 so they have the debris on the ground they left water on so parts of our schools were also flooded based on the break in."

The Dededo campus is the latest in a string of senseless acts being committed at island schools. As a matter of fact several loovers were damaged at Benavente Middle School after a break-in over the weekend although nothing was stolen this time, it wasn't like that last week according to BMS Principal Dexter Fullo, the 'B' Building was broken into and a lap top was stolen.

A committee has been formed within the department of education to address these crimes. Principal Martinez is part of that group which includes members of the Guam Police Department, the Judiciary of Guam and the Governor's Office. "We've met we've put some ideas together, we're trying to finalize that and try to implement at the school," said Martinez.

Ideas such as hiring private security, install surveillance cameras and security alarms, but until then, island residents are asked to be vigilant. If you live by a school and see anything suspicious you're asked to call the Guam Police Department immediately. "Because you're not taking from me because you're actually just taking from the students. And the community," said Martinez.

Classes will resume as normal tomorrow at Astumbo Middle School.