SOBOBA INDIAN RESERVATION - Steps have been taken to assure safety and security during the 12th annual Soboba Powwow this weekend, tribal officials say.

The assurances came after officials from San Jacinto School District declined to send elementary school students to the powwow's traditional pre-opening visit hosted by the tribe.

The reasons for San Jacinto's absence from the event are unclear. Tribal officials say they received word from San Jacinto district officials that the students were not coming because of safety concerns. San Jacinto schools Superintendent Shari Fox and other district officials could not be reached for comment Friday.

Students from the Hemet Unified School District also did not attend. Soboba Vice Chairwoman Rosemary Morillo said the tribe did not receive a response to an invitation sent to the school district.

Mary Wulfsberg, Hemet Unified deputy superintendent for educational services, said that elementary schools in the district received an invitation from Soboba Indian Reservation to attend Friday's event, but she did not know how many schools, if any, sent students. Such a decision would have been made by each individual school, Wulfsberg said.

Morillo was disappointed the students didn't show up. Students from the local elementary schools have attended the powwow each of the past five years.

She said the tribe would have appreciated hearing sooner of the San Jacinto district's decision not to participate.

"I think common courtesy would be not to tell someone on the day itself," she said.

San Jacinto School Board President John Norman said he was not aware that the students did not attend.

"We have not set a policy as a board not to let the students go. However, we have told administrators to use their discretion," he said. He said the school district "errs on the side of safety."

Security on the Soboba reservation has been in the spotlight in recent months after a series of shootings by Riverside County sheriff's deputies that left three tribal members dead. Another group, the Arizona-based National Sand Drag Association, pulled its races from the reservation, citing safety concerns.

Morillo said people attending the powwow should feel safe.

Thousands of people are expected to take part in the three-day celebration, which started Friday. More than 600 performers from throughout the U.S. and Canada are expected.

Morillo said tribal patrols and security guards would be in place to make sure it's a peaceful event. He said volunteers with badges would also assist anyone needing help. A medical mobile van would be on hand, she said.

Also, she said, the tribe would strictly enforce a policy prohibiting firearms, alcohol or drugs during the powwow.

"We cover all the bases," Morillo said.

Staff writer Imran Vittachi contributed to this report.

Reach Herbert Atienza at 951-763-3464 or hatienza@PE.com