TUSTIN : Gang-Style Clothing Banned in Schools

Gang-style clothing will be banned in the Tustin Unified School District starting in September under a new dress policy unanimously approved this week by the Board of Education.

But school principals will have the authority to determine what constitutes gang-related apparel after consulting with the police and the Sheriff’s Department.

Although gangs are currently not a problem in Tustin schools, the new dress code will help keep campuses safer, officials said.

In addition to gang-style apparel, clothing that is unusually tight, revealing or exposes the midsection or undergarments also will be prohibited. In this category are bikini tops and bra tops, officials said.

Wearing gang-related clothing is a threat to the health and safety of students, teachers and school employees, trustees said in adopting the dress policy Monday.

Also prohibited are clothing, including hats, jewelry and accessories, which are associated with violence, drugs, alcohol, obscenity and racial hatred.

Santa Ana, Los Alamitos, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach and several other school districts in the county have adopted similar dress code policies to help prevent the spread of gangs.

Supt. David Andrews said that the list of clothing considered gang apparel will be constantly updated during the school year because of changing styles.

Under current rules, a student considered improperly dressed will be sent home to change. It will be left to the principals to impose disciplinary actions against students violating the new dress code, officials said.