DEER PARK, Texas—After going to war in Vietnam decades ago, one Deer Park homeowner is going back into battle -- only this time, he’s fighting the Deer Park Independent School District.
"It’s their job to teach the kids right from wrong and they’re not doing it," said Gilbert De Alejandro, who lives about five houses down from Deer Park High School’s North Campus.
De Alejandro claims kids from the school wander aimlessly through his neighborhood. The kids’ parents drop them off early before the school opens its doors, and then pick them up late.
"They’re going off campus to smoke and walking in the middle of the street, daring people to run them over," he said.
Last semester, De Alejandro shot video of a group of students walking through the neighborhood. One of them was recorded threatening to "kill the 61-year-old in his sleep."
De Alejandro called police, but he’s the one who got charged with assault. The charge was later dropped.
"The kids are the school district’s responsibility," De Alejandro said.
Deer Park ISD officials disagree.
"High school takes place from 8:45 in the morning until 3:45 in the afternoon, and that’s essentially the time that we’re responsible for the students," said school district spokesperson Matt Lucas.
In the meantime, De Alejandro vows to continue his fight.
"This is why we fight wars," he said. "We fight wars to live in peace."
