Peninsula coach arrest sparks reader reaction
Parents whose kids were coached by Barry Sacks over the years, and others, are having some strong reactions to news this morning that he is charged with nine counts of child molestation.
One reader wrote:
"Thank you for making me aware of this. Coach Barry has worked with my kids, and they would have been in this Road Runner Program this year, but I followed my first mind and passed.
"I spoke to Barry July 24th on Penn's track working with his Road Runner Group, and I was none the wiser as to what was going on with his arrest. It seems that he was out on bail, and still working with kids alone. You can gather from this that I am upset because the matter should have been brought to my attention as a parent with the PVPUSD when he was dismissed.
"How did u come across this information, and why did it take so long to be brought to my attention?"
I hate to tell ya this, but I came across this story the same way I do many others: I literally stumbled upon it yesterday morning at the courthouse. I heard and saw some things, got nosy and figured it out. I also feel it's unfortunate that law enforcement and school officials did not make us aware of this case sooner. I suggest that parents who agree let school officials know.
Another reader asked this:
"Did or does Barry Sacks run preschool classes at Hesse Park in Palos Verdes?"
I don't know the answer to this, but I think it begs for a follow up. We'll look into it, but if anybody knows, we'd like to hear from you.
Someone else wrote to say:
"My children ... were all coached by Barry Sacks, and I am dismayed about the charges that were made against him which caused him to leave his coaching position. I hope there will be a thorough investigation. Barry is one of the most hardworking and dedicated coaches I have known and a fine person."
There was apparently also some reaction in the user comments section below the story. I'm not sure what went on over there, but the Editor says it was out-of-hand and he shut them down.
Not everyone agrees that this story should've come to light:
"You should be ashamed of writing an article like that! Barry Saks has done nothing but helped children. I've been coached by him and I've worked camps with him! For you to stoop so low as to write such a demeaning article about an upstanding man is disgusting! I'm appalled by your article! He's better than you perceive him to be in your article!"
I like hearing from you. Thanks for reading.
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About the Blogger
Larry Altman has covered crime in the South Bay since 1990. He's seen it all - the missing model who turned up dead in the desert, the wives found dead in trunks, the high-school coaches who get a little too close to their players. He drives his young colleagues nuts with his "I remember when" stories. He welcomes your tips and observations about the present, and you can mix in a little Lakers basketball talk if you like.
E-mail Larry at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.
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Why is someone appalled by your article on Barry Sacks? I think everyone has a right to know what is going on when it comes to our children. I am appalled that he lost his coaching job with the school district the end of June over these allegations, was arrested in the middle of July and continued working with the kids until last week! Yes he did run a preschool called "Wee Tots" at Hesse Park for kids ages 2.5 - 4. He let all of the parents know the the class was canceled, but did not give a reason. He told us about a week and a half before he actually left the job. I am amazed that no one needed to at least notify the parents (if not cancel his classes) after an incident of this nature. Guilty or not, the parents have a right to know if the teacher of our 3 year olds was arrested for child molestation. I left my child with him for weeks after he was arrested!
I refuse to believe that any of these allegations against Barry Sacks are true. He has coached my child since she was 1 year old. Barry has done more for children on the peninsula than any other teacher could ever hope to do. I hope that people remember that it is about innocence until proven guilty, and I believe in my heart and soul that Barry is innocent of all charges.
I remember working with Barry for years at RPV City Hall. I find the allegations hard to believe as well. Other staffers and myself always thought Barry to be a little feminine...but certainly NOT after children...He has been a "staple" in PV since I was a kid and suddenly this comes up? We will see how this plays out. Not buying it without more actual facts.
Everyone needs to step back and take a breath before they jump on the band wagon to condemn Barry Sacks. This is beginning to sound like a lynching. Many people I have spoken to know nothing of him other than what they have heard through the grape vine, and apparently everyone has an opinion now, whether they knew him or not.
Over the last 20 years he has coached several of my children, and while he does seem a little odd and socially inept at times, I tend to believe that he has a really good heart and would not hurt the children he obviously cares so much about. Please lets give him a chance until all of the facts are heard.
For the lady/man that said "He has coached my child since she was 1 year old."
barry is a running coach, i doubt he taught your kids to walk.
personally i saw it coming. as soon as i saw the track coach, i thought he was creepy and had a very strange demeanor.
80% of offenders know their victims and they also are in positions of trust. Although he has not been tried, don't believe he is innocent so soon and throw these young victims under the bus. These victims are brave for coming forward and have a long road ahead of him. Good luck to those kids.
I have known Barry for many years and I think I can answer some questions here. Yes Barry Sacks ran a wee tots and a mommy and me program at hesse park. he also ran a holiday vacation camp for 5+ years and summer programs called adventure camp. Barry is not creepy or socially backwards. He is a very kind man who loves helping kids. 3 of my kids were in programs with him and we never had any issues. he is patient and soft spoken. One reader said she worked in him program and maybe found him to be a bit feminime. Perhaps he is gay or straight. that certainly does not make him a child molester. i was a parent who took my daughter to his mommy and me classes and then she went on to wee tots without me. Not one moment was he inappropriate with any child ever. He even had the female employees help in the restrooms as he did not even go in. I always heard the staff comment that they loved working for him. He is very easy to get along with. I am all for child rights and if these allegations are true then he should face severe punishment. however if they are not true then the people starting these dreadful rumors should also face punishment. So many people are so quick to judge. Why not wait for the trial and hear all the facts first. the counts against him are stated as being misdemeanors. Does anyone know the truth as to what supposedly is being said about his actions? what are these girls saying he actually did to them? i agree that the pvpusd school district should have imformed people sooner. they are at fault here. For those of you who never met Barry you have no idea what you are talking about here. For so many of us who have entrusted our children to him for over 30 years now know that something does not add up here. I hope like all of you that these allegations are unfounded and not true. I hope he can resume his life and continue working with the youth in our community but after this even if found innocent his life is ruined. Wait to judge. Wait to form an opinion.
It is difficult for me to believe the accusations made against Barry Sacks and the stereotypes that the accusations suggest.
I have known Barry for at least 25 years. I have seen him all over Southern California at track and cross-country meets - and even road races with his kids. I always make a point of saying hi to him, as I truly appreciate the time he contributes. Often, he would tell me, "Oh, I have a really good runner. He (or she) is running right now. Look at how effortless. He is going to be a great runner in high school."
His enthusiasm was genuine and unabashed. He was into coaching for all the right reasons.
I have never considered him other than an unselfish, truly devoted coach who had only the kids' best interests at hand. I sincerely hope the accusations are exposed as false.
Several years ago at a track meet, he and I had a conversation about another coach who had been accused of the very thing Barry now faces. Barry and I agreed it was profoundly sad (whether the accusation were true or false) and, not once, did I hear anything but a mature, level-headed, candid person discussing the situation. He was fully aware of the long-term effects on the kids that such conduct could cause and expressed disgust at the coach's conduct, if proven to be true. He understood the responsibilities he had and their gravity.
I told him that I thought his job was "high-risk" in the sense that an emotionally charged youth could lie out of spite to "get him" for some perceived slight. The McMartin case from years ago is not a perfect example of this, but it roughly makes the point. He agreed.
He has coached my kids as well as many of my friends' kids. I would never allow my kids to work with him if I thought he was anything but trustworthy.
I agree with the comments that the school district should have made the parents aware of the allegations as soon as the district was aware of them. In May my 13 year old son encountered a man masturbating on the sidewalk on his way home from school. I made the principal aware of the situation and he failed to notify the parents of the school even though this man was in the same area at the same time for two weeks in a row. Fortunately the sheriff understood the dangers and arrested the man on the 3rd week. When I asked the principal why he failed to notify the parents he said (no less than three times) it was his experience masturbators don't approach children. I'm sure the family of the 10 year old girl this man attempted to rape in March would disagree. No wonder the district failed to act regarding a pervert on the sidewalk, they were busy dealing with the pervert on their payroll!
As a parent of children in the PV school district, I am appalled of the School Board and William Walker's handling of any situation regarding sex offenders and REAL threats to our children. In both the case in May with the masterbater, and this case, we the parents HEAR nothing from the officials. Perhaps we need to start reporting these issues directly to channel 2 or 4 and get our cities on the news so that our officials wake up. They have a duty to us, and they clearly are not living up to their end of the bargain. Perhaps they are too busy soliciting to save the teachers and PEF donations. Maybe its more important for them to tell us where to give out money, than to protect our children by informing the parents.