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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - January 18, 1989 (46)11 CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 18, 1989 CITIZEN EXPRESSES CONCERN REGARDING GANG AND DRUG PROBLEMS AT LODI HIGH SCHOOL Elaine Adams, 1042 North Lincoln Avenue, Lodi, expressed her concerns regarding gang and drug problems at Lodi High CC -16 School. CC -24(b) CC -152 THE I Ls .wv Fight sp'urs' unconfirm' 6d rum—Ors of gan BY TA BITHA MALLEY On Monday, December 5, in front of Lodi High School a short fight occured involving foar or five teenagers, some of which were Lodi High students. The right lasted briefly before LHS campus supervisor; reached the scene and took control. The students involved were not hurt anti LHS authorities maintain that no weapons were apparent Assistant principal, Pete Saco, commented that the fight was primarily a result of an off -campus group of students conflicting with LHS students. When questioned on the subject of gang involvenent, Saco said that the talk about gangs was a typical exampin of cam- pus rumors that sunound a situation such as tats. One student stated that the vio- lence is nonsense. Fie said that the kids involved in gangs have excess energy and they just channel it into fighting. He said, "If they have energy to fight, they've obviously got energy to work." This student said that if there was more work for the kind of kids that turn to gangs for acceptance, then The availability of jobs would "cutdown on a lot of the fighting". Saco maintained that there was no evidence Of gang involvement and that if then: had been it was a matter for the police. To avoid any similiar conflicts police officers were stationed at the front of the school last week. They were there as a Precautionary measure to discourage an reoccurence of Monday's conflict, say that the police only aggravate the situ - One unnamed student, who was ation by causing teenagers to become more supposedly involved in Monday's tight, was rebellious towards a lult intervention. detained in the office until school had com- While there are no codrinned re- pletely let out to insure the safety of that Ports of gang involvement some students tell student and to avoid any oGler rights. a different story. When asked if the students involved Allevr4ly the two ,gangs involved ^eceivedany punishment for theirparticipa- xvercSouthSide lodi(SSL)and BNG.'These; tion in Monday's fight, Saco answered, "No, are supposedly the two largest gangs . in we felt the problem started bacause of off- Lodi. Both groups have members that attdnd campus students." LHS. y Some studentsatLHS saythat even When asked about the possibility with the police stationed in front of the of any use of weapons in the fight, •three school, the problem will continue --at Hutch- separate students confirme,; that there were ins Street Square late at night or practically weapons but that none were used. Gang anywhere that the police aren't This, unfor.:members keep such things as chains, knives, tunately, leaves a lot of open territory. Some and Pipes in their cars but will not use them students interviewed even went as far as ai unless the otherside does. All students intcr- viewed said that there were no guns. d1fts More information about gangs was disclosed voluntarily. Students interviewed panish'.Club. provides TDir mary ca BY CWEN IRWIN Por tite last several years the Span- ish Club has provided help to children dur- ..Ig the Christmas season and this year will deliver gifts, cookies, and candy to the Mary Graham Hall Orphanage. .. The Spanish Club needs any staff or students to provide gifts under five dol - said. thatsomekids join gangs to have a place a h a H a kids to elong and still others are simply forced into it One t d children during the Christmas season. Last year the Spanish Club bro:;ght a Christmas dinner to a family of ten who were picked from LodiMgh School. Other projects the Spanish CIub has been involved in from previous years dealt with children from the Regional Adolescent Treatment Program for children. s u ent summed up another would Iike to thank the Spanish Club and all reason for joining a gang by saying, "If other individuals, students, and staff, who you're ir a gang, no one will mess with you." donated gifts ormoneytothisworthycause.' Competition between gangs has reached a peak recently in Califoinia. One student said.that it was simply about who's All gifts are to be in by Wednesday, the best, who's the toughest The gangs want Dec. 22, so that they maybe delivered Christ- control of their section of town or their mas weekend to the children at the orphan- particular school. age.