COUNTYWIDE : Anti-Gang Tool Cited

An anti-gang directory was unveiled last week, and a goal of making parents financially liable for their children’s crimes was announced by Board of Supervisors Chairman Harriett M. Wieder and other Orange County officials.

“We need some responsibility from the parents,” Wieder said.

A similar proposal was made by Wieder in September, 1991, after the city of Norwalk passed an ordinance that made parents liable for their children’s actions. But other cities feared legal action against such a proposal.

Wieder was told by the presiding judge of the Orange County Juvenile Court that parents could be held financially responsible for damage their children do. Also, curfew laws will be enforced to hold parents accountable for their children. “Most of the crimes occur during the night,” Wieder said.

Wieder also said Assemblyman Tom Umberg (D-Garden Grove) is attempting to get legislation passed in the state that would specifically make parents pay for their children’s crimes, such as vandalism and petty theft.

Wieder said parents would pay more attention to what their children do if they knew that they had to pay for their actions. “We’re going to impose responsibility to adults,” she said.

Judge Francisco P. Briseno, presiding judge in Juvenile Court, said that it is necessary to make parents more responsible for their children’s actions.

“We need parents to find out what it takes to be a good parent,” Briseno said.

More than 80 people crowded into the Old County Courthouse to see the new anti-gang directory, which has information on gang counseling, police task forces, school programs and other community services for each city in the county.

The directory was the idea of a task force in Wieder’s 2nd District. It was compiled by Wieder’s staff, cost $4,800 and was paid for by private organizations and community groups.

Wieder said the task force plans to distribute 450 copies of the anti-gang book throughout the county.

“This directory is not only for the county agencies but the community groups, schools, parents and current gang members,” Wieder said. “It’s important to stress this resource directory is not just for law enforcement.”

She said the goal is to “formally unite all of the anti-gang efforts and send a message that we care and there is help available.”