Crime & Safety
Rancho Santa Margarita Students Get Great Pumpkin Visit from OCSD
The Orange County Sheriff's Department donated over 30 pumpkins to Rancho Margarita Students after vandalism destroyed their holiday garden
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Robinson Elementary School special needs students learned a valuable lesson in kindness on Monday from the Orange County Sheriff's Department. When a recent act of vandalism destroyed their garden pumpkins last month, they assumed hope was lost for that effort.
However, on Monday, the deputies of the Orange County Sheriff's Department surprised that class with 30 pumpkins, hand picked for the students.
"When the deputies from the Rancho Santa Margarita station heard about the vandalism of the Robinson Elementary School students' still-developing pumpkin patch in mid-September they passed the hat around and collected enough money for 30 pumpkins for the 22 students and a handful of teachers," Carrie Braun of the sheriff's department said.
Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The City of Rancho Santa Margarita warned residents to expect a bit of police activity near the school and not to be alarmed.
"You may see and hear "Duke" flying over the Robinson Ranch area of the City this morning. It's all good! The OCSD is making a special effort to right a recent wrong," they said over Facebook. "Thank you to RSM Police Services for organizing this awesome event!"
Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
At the beginning of the summer, their teacher planted pumpkin seeds in the garden so the children could tend to them and watch them grow, Braun said.
"Two juveniles broke into the school one night and trashed the entire garden," Braun said. "They ripped the vines out, hung everything around the fenced-in garden area."
Deputy Calvin Silva, the school resource officer, took the report and when he realized how heartbroken the teachers and students were he led a fundraising drive.
"He decided he would do his best to replace the pumpkins for them," Braun said. "He surprised them this morning with a pumpkin patch."
The students were able to pick out the pumpkins they wanted.
Two juveniles have been identified as suspects in the vandalism and the investigation is ongoing, Braun said.
City of Rancho Santa Margarita Photos
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
