Gates OKd to Block Street at Ventura High : Safety: The City Council calls the metal barriers a temporary solution to protect against possible drive-by shootings.

After listening to hours of emotional testimony from residents, students and school officials, the Ventura City Council voted early Tuesday to approve installing metal gates to block off a section of Poli Street at Ventura High School during school days.

The council emphasized that the metal gates--which will replace wooden barricades and will be used to close the street from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on days when school is in session--would be considered a temporary solution only.

School district officials have asked the council to permanently close a block-long section of Poli Street as a safety precaution against possible drive-by shootings. Poli is a major east-west artery that runs through the middle of the high school campus.

The council agreed to close Poli between Catalina Street and Hall Canyon Road as a temporary measure in August, much to the dismay of hillside residents who object to the increased traffic in their neighborhoods.

When the school district asked the council to replace the wooden barricades with metal gates, hillside residents protested again. They said they feared metal gates would become a permanent solution to Poli, which they want reopened.

“Why spend money on temporary measures?” said Dorothy Goodman, who has lived on Hyland Avenue for more than 30 years. “We need a permanent solution, and we need it now.”

School officials, however, said the metal gates would be more convenient to use than hauling wooden barricades in and out of the streets on school days. Because of the increased traffic on the hillside, wooden barricades have also been installed on Sunset Drive and Palomar Avenue to detour traffic toward Main Street. Those barricades will be replaced by breakaway chain gates.

School officials Tuesday said they hope to install the metal gates and breakaway chain gates as early as January. The gates and chains will cost about $15,000 to $20,000, which the school district will pay.

Residents, students and school officials debated for more than four hours before the council late Monday evening and early Tuesday morning. Both sides accused the other of being selfish.

“These streets belong to the taxpayers, not the students,” said Hazel Imbrecht, who lives on Sunset Drive. “(The council) is elected to serve, not show favoritism.”

Ventura High School junior Ramsey Jay argued that safety concerns should override traffic problems.

“By opening Poli, the risk is too high for something to happen,” Ramsey said. “The price of a life is worth the five to 10 minutes inconvenience to the hillside residents.”

Council members, who were trying to appease both sides, voted 4 to 1 to use the metal gates, but decided they are not ready to make a definite decision on the long-term solution to Poli Street and delegated that to a committee.

Councilman Jim Monahan dissented, arguing that the council should give the committee more specific instructions about whether they want the street open or closed in the long run.

The committee, which will be appointed by Mayor Tom Buford, is scheduled to come back in April with long-term solutions about how to balance student safety concerns against traffic problems. The council will make the final decision.

Residents suggested alternatives such as building brick walls, a pedestrian overpass or moving the campus.

“It’s a true dilemma for us to try to satisfy all of you,” Councilwoman Rosa Lee Measures told the audience. “It’s a bone of contention for the residents because they perceive it as permanent.”

Ventura Unified School District Supt. Joe Spirito said he plans to continue working with the residents and city officials to find a long-term solution that would satisfy everyone.

School district officials have been trying to get the council to close Poli Street for almost two decades. The issue has come up in 1974, 1991, 1992 and 1993. The most recent request came after a Ventura High School student was stabbed several blocks from the school in February.

Poli Street closure: The Ventura City Council has decided to approve replacing wooden barricades on Poli Street with metal gates. Barricades at Palomar Avenue and Sunset Drive will be replaced with chain gates. The gates will continue to be up from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on school days.