Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : New School Program Leads to 2nd Arrest : Littlerock: Education officials say student is held after peers report him as part of cash-for-crime-tips plan.

Authorities have arrested a 17-year-old Littlerock High School student, found with a 9-millimeter handgun, in the second arrest stemming from a new cash-for-crime-tips program, school officials said Friday.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested the junior in his business class Thursday, with a semiautomatic handgun in his waistband and a loaded clip in his pocket, school officials said.

Two students who reported the boy each received $25 rewards.

“Schoolmates told (a teacher) that he was carrying a gun,” said Sgt. Bob Denham of the Antelope Valley Sheriff’s Station. The minor, whose name was not released, was charged with possession of a concealed firearm and taken to juvenile hall in Sylmar, Denham said.

The new anti-crime program--approved this week by the Antelope Valley Union High School District--offers $25 rewards to high school students for information about peers who paint graffiti or bring weapons and illegal drugs into school.

To get the money, the student tips must lead to an arrest, according to the program.

On Thursday, sheriff’s deputies arrested a Littlerock High School student found with a BB gun. The student was charged with a misdemeanor firearms violation and was released to his parents, Denham said.

Littlerock High School Principal Jeffrey E. Foster said on Friday: “Our message is clear . . . this is a weapon- and drug-free zone, and we are going to make sure it stays that way.”

School trustees voted unanimously to institute the program at the district’s five high schools Wednesday night.

Under the program, the names of students who come forward remain confidential. They can give a tip to a teacher, a school administrator or call a telephone hot line.

The program has received mixed reactions from students.

Some say they believe it will reduce crime and keep campuses safer.

But others said the “snitch program,” as some called it, could result in retaliation if students are identified. They said $25 is not enough to risk putting their lives in jeopardy by tattling on armed classmates.