Campuses across the L.A. Unified School District are set to open Thursday for the first day of the new academic year with the district implementing measures to ensure the "safe passage" of children and parents amid heightened concerns over federal immigration raids.

Hundreds of district employees, volunteers, school police and officers from several municipalities will patrol near an estimated 100 campuses and set up so-called "safe zones" in neighborhoods that have high populations of Latinos. The patrol groups will also focus on places where older Latino students are walking to campus.

Local officials said the patrols will serve as a means of enhancing communication so schools can be locked down if necessary, and so parents and others in the community can be alerted via email or text ab

See Full Page