Gang Violence and Gun Control

Regarding the gang-related killing of 11-year-old Alejandro Vargas as he stood on the front lawn of Ralph J. Bunche Middle School in Compton on April 23:

As an educator who works daily with high-risk students in primary and secondary schools throughout Los Angeles County, I believe that a reassessment of the Compton Unified School District’s anti-gang efforts should be undertaken.

Article I, Section 28(c), of the California Constitution prescribes that “all students and school staff have the inalienable right to attend schools that are safe, secure and peaceful.” Because many school campuses are not safe, secure and peaceful, the parents of students sustaining personal injury have attempted to make school districts liable by taking them to court. Judges, hitherto, have ruled against the victims. As part of their reasoning, they have emphasized that school districts demonstrating “reasonable efforts” in sustaining school safety are meeting their obligation as prescribed in the Constitution. In addressing the gang issue, however, the courts have yet to define reasonable gang prevention efforts.

L.A.’s two gang killings per day have taught us that isolationist, shotgun approaches are ineffective. I suggest that any school plagued with violent activities needs to have in place a comprehensive gang prevention/intervention program. This program, at a minimum, should include specialized teacher training, parent education, student leadership development, anti-gang curriculum enhancement, crisis management and interagency team coordination.

If a school neglects to exercise the above reasonable efforts, and our sons and daughters are killed by rampant gang violence on school grounds, then I suggest that the time has come to make the schools substantially liable for the killing of our children.

GUS FRIAS

Criminal Justice/Education Specialist

Los Angeles County Office of Education