Story by Antwan Harris
Eyewitness News Reporter
CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) -- After Eyewitness News brought the most recent Howard High School break-in to the forefront, city leadership is now weighing in on the mounting frustrations.
Howard High School is in Chattanooga City Councilman Manny Rico's district.
He says city tax dollars help pay for education, and this most recent theft has taxpayers footing the bill.
"Take away the elected official part and as a citizen, I don't like to see the same problems at the same place over and over," says Rico.
The latest robbery of four computers cost more than $3,600.
School board member George Ricks says the thefts only hurt the kids involved.
"What I'm frustrated about is people stealing from our kids. I think it is wrong to take from our school or anything period. It's wrong to take what isn't theirs," says Ricks.
Police are still searching for whoever is responsible.
Ricks says he has been aware of Howard's security system issues and says it was working in June, it just wasn't turned on.
He says now extra measures may be necessary to cover blind spots near the rear of the school.
"We may need to look at putting some gates around it. That is a possibility," says Ricks.
Rico says the city pays half a percent of the total sales collected to the county which pays for education.
He says as the city continues to be criticized over it's budget and tax increase, he expects other governing bodies to take responsibility.
"Every time you take step forward it seems like something tries to take the rug from up under you," says Ricks.
