Board of Education approves measure 8-1.
By: Lea Kahn
The Lawrence Township Board of Education adopted a policy last week banning gang-related activity, clothes, gestures and other indicators that gangs might be gaining a toehold in Lawrence public schools.
The "Gang and Gang-Related Activity Policy" covers activity at school and school associated functions and activities off school property. The policy is enforced if activities involve the intimidation or attack on another student in the district by a gang or gang members.
The policy defines a gang as an ongoing association or group of three or more persons whose primary activity is the commission of criminal acts. A gang also is identified as having common identifying signs, colors or symbols.
The school board adopted the policy 8-1 at its Sept. 13 meeting. Board member Kevin Pollock cast the lone "no" vote, saying he wanted to broaden the definition of gang activity to include delinquent behavior.
Board member Ginny Bigley said the policy went through several drafts before it was presented for adoption last week. There had been debate at earlier board meetings over clothing, which is often used as a uniform in gangs, and what conditions to place on what students can and cannot wear.
"This policy protects the rights of students to express themselves, but it sends a clear message that gangs are not welcome," Ms. Bigley said.
The policy is divided into two sections "initiating, advocating or promoting a gang or any gang-related activities" in school or at school-related activities. The gang policy bans recruiting for gang membership or gang-related activities, and conducting gang initiations.
The second section of the policy deals with dress code and related issues. The policy does not allow students to wear or display gang apparel, accessories, signs, insignias or symbols on their clothing, their bodies or personal property.
Students may not communicate verbally or nonverbally, through hand gestures that they are gang members or that they belong to a specific gang, according to the policy.
The superintendent of schools, in consultation with the police, will determine the specific apparel, accessories, signs, insignias and symbols that are prohibited. The list may be modified or updated at any time and will be available to students and their parents.
The policy allows for an "intervention" to be offered to a student who wears clothing or accessories that are not on the list but which may have a gang association such as certain sports team colors, logos or symbols or who is suspected of having gang affiliation.
The purpose of the intervention is to discuss the school’s observations and concerns and to offer the student and parent an opportunity to ask questions or provide other information, according to the policy.
It could include the student, a parent or guardian if the student is a minor, a school administrator, the police officer assigned to the school as its school resource officer and the Lawrence Township Police Department, to explain why the behavior is not acceptable.
An intervention would only be triggered if a student violates two or more of the regulations, said Lawrence Middle School Principal Andrew Zuckerman.
If the student continues to violate the anti-gang policy, he or she would be subject to discipline, Mr. Zuckerman said. Punishment ranges from detention to suspension or expulsion.
"We are excited about the policy," Mr. Zuckerman told the school board. "It shows that (the district) is being pro-active. Overnight, gangs can truly become a problem. To truly define what gang activity is, is difficult. It is constantly changing."
Law enforcement officials who attended the school board meeting praised the board for its action.
"This policy is great," said Detective Frank Clayton of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. "Denial is not a good thing. The next thing you know, it (gang activity) is all over you."
The Lawrence school district is breaking ground by adopting a gang policy, Detective Clayton said, adding that other school districts statewide are considering enacting similar anti-gang policies.
Assistant Prosecutor Robert Stevens said he would welcome the policy in court because it defines gangs and gang activity. He said he likes the concept of an intervention because "the earlier you can get them and rein them in" the more beneficial it will be in the future.
"We have to look at the policy as a tool to help children," he said.
Leisha Koval, whose daughter attends Lawrence Intermediate School, urged the school board to be more forthcoming with information about gangs and gang activity in the district. It would make more sense to encourage parental involvement, rather than to punish children’s acts, she said.
Superintendent Philip Meara said the district is scheduled to present its annual state-mandated violence and vandalism report which lists the number of incidents at the school board’s October meeting, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at the high school.
Police Lt. Mark Ubry said the police received several reports of gang-related graffiti in the hallways and boys’ bathrooms at Lawrence High School last year. There were also several assaults that could have been gang-related, but nothing has been confirmed, he said.
"We suspect the assaults were meant to be initiated into or out of the gang," Lt. Ubry said. "They are not picking on innocent kids. It’s just among each other."

