header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 4
1940 - NYC premiere of "The Marines Fly High" starring Lucille Ball, filmed in Placerita Canyon [story] Marines Fly High


[KHTS] – Several buildings at Emblem Academy were without water Monday morning after a weekend robbery of the elementary school’s copper plumbing.

The school’s custodian was the first to realize the water was not working. He later discovered that main water valves and copper plumbing were removed, according to Emblem Academy Principal Jon Baker.

The administration building, 17 classrooms and 12 bathrooms were without running water until 11:00 a.m., said Baker.

In addition to the valves, 20 copper drain lines were stolen from the roof of one of the schools buildings, said Public Information Officer for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Shirley Miller.

Baker said that maintenance crews worked quickly to bring in portable bathrooms for students and faculty to use while the plumbing was being replaced.

“We wanted to make sure that everything was operational,” Baker said. “We prepared ourselves for the day with portable bathrooms, extra hand sanitizer and bottled water.”

According to a 2012 report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, metal thefts across the country steadily increased beginning in August of 2009 because of rising base metal prices, especially copper.

“We have seen an increase. The stealing of valuable metal has become a cause for concern. Not just for our area, but in other areas as well,” Miller said.

“The metal is stolen and then sold to scrap metal facilities. It is melted down and then sold,” Miller said.

 

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

25 Comments

  1. Omg are u serious. I can’t believe how far can people go now days

  2. Gee Hawd says:

    Inside job/ ghettooooo

  3. In other countries this kind of stuff happens all the time. Even phones down because of the stolen wires. Is this what this country will come to? So so sad :(

  4. Just realized how old this pic is. That’s the way I remember that school when I attended it

  5. Put in PVC then it won’t rot either.

  6. Lisa Stacey says:

    The headline of this article is ridiculous. I know it states it within the story but no kids were left thirsty.

  7. Bonnie says:

    Very sad! But on a good note, well done and thank you to Mr Baker and team for their quick response in organizing porter potties, sanitizer and bottled water for students and staff, as well as informing the parents of the situation. What a start to the week!

  8. Wendy Means says:

    You have GOT to be kidding. Hell in a handbasket, I tell ya.

  9. Can’t imagine no one saw this – were the gates left unlocked? Junkers going around our neighborhood constantly (I live in Emblem tract)

    • Eric Baker says:

      The school is pitch black at night. It’s easy for someone to do their job of stealing and never be seen. I live up the street from the school. Plus, there’s often cars coming and going around the area, so it wouldn’t be odd to see a car there sometimes. Security only checks the place 1-2x a night for 5 minutes.

  10. Denice Lyke says:

    And that’s why ALL recycle places should have a ” hold ” time on the amounts of copper that gets brought in. These people steal it and take it and cash it in. Lame. Get jobs.

  11. what a shame, no respect anymore

  12. Jasmine Feldman says:

    My god!!!!!

  13. Concerned says:

    It’s sad what happened, but I’m not surprised. Consider the neighborhood and the type of students/parents who attend this school, especially those who came in during open transfer from worse parts of the SCV. Some parents are ex convicts. Some kids are real bullies. Sad for the rest of the decent students and parents who have to deal with them.

  14. Emblem Parent says:

    It’s awful that some people could stoop so low to steal from a school. Also maybe the school should have invested in a better surveillance security system instead of wasting $17,000 of PTA funds on an electronic billboard. Or the money could’ve been used for student enrichment programs like art, music, field trips, etc. I don’t get how money raised by students and parents get misused like that.

  15. so cal guy says:

    ^^^ Shallow Comment ^^^
    This happens all over the City, LA County and other areas, has nothing to do with the specific neighborhood. Has everything to do with quick easy access and a quick out.

  16. Emblem Parent says:

    So Cal Guy:

    The people who goto this school and live around the neighborhood suffer at the hands of the lowlife people I’m talking about. Read the comments from the other people who live here. Nothing shallow about what I’m talking about.

Leave a Comment


LOCAL SCHOOL LINKS
Related Content
LATEST SCHOOL NEWS
Friday, Feb 27, 2026
The Saugus Union School District will hold its regular public meeting of the governing board of trustees on Tuesday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m. It will first meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026
SCVi Charter School, the founding campus of the iLEAD Schools network, is hosting a series of informational events for prospective families as the deadline for the 2026-27 school year enrollment lottery approaches.
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026
The annual Downs Fischer Jazz Festival will return to Golden Valley High School on Friday, Feb. 27, hosted by the Golden Valley High School Music Department and the GVHS Band and Color Guard Boosters. The event begins at 5 p.m. in the GVHS gym.
Saturday, Feb 21, 2026
The WiSH Education Foundation offers a series of monthly Wednesday Webinars to aid college-bound high school seniors and their families in the college admission process.
Thursday, Feb 19, 2026
The William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board unanimously approved the appointment of Dennis Yong as the new assistant principal at Rancho Pico Junior High School.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
<strong>1940</strong> - NYC premiere of "The Marines Fly High" starring Lucille Ball, filmed in Placerita Canyon [<a href="https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/lw2676.htm" target="_blank">story</a>] <a href="https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/lw2676.htm" target="_blank"> <img src="https://scvhistory.com/gif/lw2676t.jpg" alt="Marines Fly High" style="margin-top:6px;width:110px;border:0;"> </a>
The 30th Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival is back in town and the city of Santa Clarita is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help make it a success by assisting with different activities during the event.
Volunteers Needed for Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival
The Santa Clarita Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 to receive an overview on 2026 events planned by the city of Santa Clarita.
March 5: Santa Clarita Parks Commission Meets for Overview of 2026 Events
The Master's University men's basketball team pulled off the most improbable win of the season, coming back from a 17-point deficit in the second half to win the GSAC Men's Basketball Championship 77-74 in The MacArthur Center on Monday, March 2.
The Master’s Wins GSAC Basketball Championship
WalletHub, a free personal finance app, reports the residents of Santa Clarita possess the sixth most credit cards per person in the United States.
Santa Clarita Ranks Sixth Nationally in Most Credit Cards Per Person
The College of the Canyons track and field teams combined for nearly 40 personal best times and marks during the annual Cuyamaca College Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 28 with the women's squad claiming its first team victory of the season.
Canyons Wins Women’s Meet, Sees High Marks from Men’s Squad at Cuyamaca Invite
Circle of Hope’s most anticipated night of the year returns on Saturday, March 28, as Vine2Wine once again brings the community together for an evening of wine, cuisine and compassion.
March 28: Vine2Wine ‘A Mediterranean Toga Affair’ for Circle of Hope
College of the Canyons swimming and diving competed at the two-day Mt. San Antonio College Invitational Feb. 27-28, with the Cougars turning in a number of strong individual performances.
Cougars’ Swim & Dive Teams Compete at Mt. SAC Invitational
Innovation guides how Santa Clarita brings the community together through its events and programming. Each year, the city introduces new ways to engage residents and highlight what makes Santa Clarita unique.
Ken Striplin | Two New Events Celebrating Spring
The Small Business Development Center hosted by College of the Canyons will offer a free webinar, "Tax Essentials for Entrepreneurs: A 2-Part Workshop Series." Part 1, "Business Structure – Choosing Smart from the Start," will be presented on Wednesday, March 11 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
March 11: Free Business Webinar, ‘Tax Essentials for Entrepreneurs,’ Part 1
Family Promise of Santa Clarita Valley is holding a Dodgers Opening Weekend Raffle fundraiser with a live drawing scheduled for Tuesday, March 17.
March 17: Family Promise of SCV Fundraising Dodgers Opening Weekend Raffle
University and government officials formally cut the ribbon today for California State University, Northridge’s Valera NEST, a first-of-its-kind resource center in the CSU system that provides basic needs services such as food, clothing and wellness to students in a centralized location on campus.
CSUN Formally Opens Valera NEST, CSU Student Resource Center
California Credit Union is now accepting applications for its 2026 Summer Internship Program, offering paid professional experience for Santa Clarita Valley college students.
California Credit Union Now Accepting Applications for 2026 Summer Internship Program
Starting Tuesday, March 3, Placerita Canyon Natural Area and Nature Center will have updated summer operating hours.
March 3: Summer Operating Hours for Placerita Canyon Natural Area, Nature Center
The Valley Industry Association will host "VIA Cocktails & Conversation: An Evening with Santa Clarita City Councilwoman Marsha McLean" on Thursday, March 19, 5:30-7 p.m.
March 19: VIA Cocktails & Conservation with Councilwoman Marsha McLean
At its Feb. 17, regular meeting, the Santa Clarita Valley Water Board of Directors approved an ordinance establishing penalties relating to water theft from fire hydrants as well as corresponding revisions to its Customer Service Policy.
SCV Water Board Approves Establishing Penalties for Water Theft From Fire Hydrants
The Santa Clarita Artists Association is holding a call for artists for "Rustic Roots: The California West" art exhibit. Entry Deadline is Sunday, March 22.
March 22:  SCAA Call to Artists ‘Rustic Roots, The California West’ Deadline
In Santa Clarita, building a strong sense of community is a priority we carry through everything we do, from shared experiences that bring residents together to programs and opportunities that encourage us to learn, participate and connect with one another.
Ken Striplin | One Story One City: An Invitation to Read, Listen, Connect
The city of Santa Clarita Film Office has released the list of five productions filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, March 2 to Sunday, March 8.
March 2-8: Five Productions Filming in SCV
TMU baseball was swept by Hope International University on Saturday, Feb. 28 in a 14-9 loss in Fullerton.
Mustangs Fall in Series Finale to Hope International
The Master's University men's volleyball team improved to 8-0 with a dominant win over Soka University in straight sets on Friday, Feb. 27 in The MacArthur Center.
The Master’s Stays Unbeaten with Blowout over Soka
The Master's University took advantage of 17 Hope International turnovers to defeat the Royals 78-73 in the GSAC Men's Basketball Tournament semifinals Friday, Feb. 27 in Fullerton.
Mustangs Win Semi to Host Championship
College of the Canyons baseball was able to hold off a late-inning comeback bid from Oxnard College to get past the Condors 8-7 at Mike Gillespie Field on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
COC Baseball Hangs on for 8-7 Win Over Oxnard
<strong>1938</strong> - Great Flood of 1938 causes massive destruction and death across the greater Los Angeles region [<a href="https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/ap3314.htm" target="_blank">story</a>]<br> <a href="https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/ap3314.htm" target="_blank"> <img src="https://scvhistory.com/gif/ap3101t.jpg" alt="flooding" style="margin-top:6px;width:110px;border:0;"> </a>
SCVNews.com