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.