Anti-Truancy Crackdown Targets Youth in Harbor Area
In an effort to keep students in class and out of trouble, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Harbor Division began a zero-tolerance anti-truancy crackdown Tuesday in cities surrounding the Port of Los Angeles.
“We’ve found that daytime burglaries and crimes are high, and if we had less kids out there, we could concentrate on the bad folks instead of the truants,” said Det. Richard Simmons. “If the kids aren’t in school, they’re not learning. Keeping them in school is a win-win situation for everyone.”
Officers patrolling the San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City and Harbor Gateway areas have been instructed to cite all students who should be in school. The department plans to use its Special Problems Unit to conduct a series of truancy sweeps in the future.
Students cited for truancy must appear in court with a parent or guardian, and they face fines of up to $700. First-time offenders may be required to do community service and a second offense could result in the offender losing driving privileges.
“We’re trying to get it across to kids to stay in school,” Simmons said. “We’re trying to scare ‘em straight.”
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