Schools target gang activity

In a revision of its policy, Douglas County School District is trying to kill two birds with one stone: gang activity and electronic intimidation.

Superintendent Carol Lark said there has been in an increase in gang-related activity at the Valley's middle schools, though mostly nonviolent in nature.

"We have seen an increase in students wearing gang-affiliated clothing," she said, "including colors, emblems and jewelry. There has been an increase in student tagging: graffiti on school property, student papers, notebooks, backpacks as well as student artwork."

Amendments to policy 540 would prohibit wearing, possessing, distributing and displaying any clothing, jewelry, badges and other symbols indicative of gang membership, including hand signs.

"The schools have been proactive in training and informing their staff of signs to look for in regards to gang activity," Lark said. "Staff is providing an increased presence during unstructured parts of the day."

Intervention strategies have also been created. After a gang-related incident, a student would have to meet with school staff, parents and law enforcement officials. A behavior plan might be implemented. The district would provide programs that "enhance self-esteem, encourage interest and participation in wholesome activities and promote positive membership and participation in authorized student organizations."

Amendments would also prohibit solicitation of gang members, intimidation and incitement of other students to act with physical violence upon any person.

"People need to know that gang activity is not acceptable whatsoever, and we will not tolerate it," said school board member Keith Roman. "If gangs get into the framework and culture of our schools, we are done for."

The district may use suspension and expulsion as final means of enforcement.

A change in district policy 529(a) would prohibit intimidation and violent behavior not only in school facilities and at school-sponsored activities but also "conduct off school property that materially and substantially disrupts school operations or causes school officials to reasonably believe that it will do so." This includes electronic means: threatening e-mails, cell phone text messages, MySpace comments and other blogs.

"There has been an increase in activity off campus before and after school that has begun encroaching on students' behavior at school," Lark said.

In May 2007, School Resources Officer Deputy Greg Shields received an e-mail threatening a school shooting. An hour lockdown ensued until sheriff's deputies cleared the school. In February, a 16-year-old Douglas High student was arrested after police found threatening comments on his MySpace page.

"It is important that parents continue to be aware of where their children are during nonschool hours and get to know their children's friends and what kind of activities they are participating in," said Lark. "They are encouraged to monitor their Internet access and MySpace and Facebook accounts."

Lark said the change in policy reflects the district's efforts to keep up with the electronic world in which children live.

"When the use of these electronic means of communication disrupts school operations, we need to have the means to intervene," Lark said.