Classes to Help Parents Curb Youth Crime

In an effort to curb youth crime in the area, the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station’s Juvenile Intervention Team will offer classes for parents and guardians of at-risk youngsters to give them the tools to turn their children around.

The morning-long classes--the first of which will be held at the Calabasas station Sept. 28--are an effort to alert parents to the warning signs of criminal behavior and teach them ways to help prevent problems.

“We want to educate parents about what kids are doing in the streets today, about what crimes are being committed,” said Deputy Rick Mouwen, one of three “J-Team” members. “We want to open their eyes to this.”

Some of the crimes that team members will discuss are vandalism, theft, as well as use of drugs, primarily marijuana, and alcohol.

“We don’t have hard-core gang members, but we do have problems with the kids,” Mouwen said.

The area was also hit hard by a high-profile case in which four local teens were convicted this year of killing another boy.

The classes will be available to parents of at-risk children, ages 10 to 17, in the cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu and Westlake Village.

Most parents would be notified of the class if their child has been identified by his school as having disciplinary problems, or through contact with deputies.

But team members also hope that parents will come forward themselves if they detect a problem.

Mouwen said he hopes none would have to be referred to the classes by a judge.

“The courts shouldn’t have to step in before the parents get involved. The system should not be raising their kids.”

Representatives from the station’s contract cities praised the concept of the classes.

“I think we should probably try anything and everything, given the need to prevent juvenile crime and juvenile problems,” said Agoura Hills Mayor Ed Corridori.

“I think anything we can do is worth looking at and trying.”

For more information about the classes, call the J-Team at (818) 878-1808, Ext. 3080.