This doesn't bode well...

School hasn't started yet, and already we hear of gang fights at school.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the police scanner rang with calls that there were possible gang-related altercations at West High School during freshmen orientation and registration events.

This, as they say, is probably not a good omen.

Overcrowding no doubt is playing its part, as 900 freshmen at West and 850 at Tracy High are set to move into their new scholastic roles this year. John C. Kimball High, when it's opened in 2009, will take some of that pressure off.

In the meantime, parents and police might want to brace themselves for an *ahem* interesting school year.