Gang Awareness Classes Give Teachers Upper Hand

Tools

Story Published: Aug 27, 2009 at 5:32 PM PST

By Sade Malloy

Video
TRI-CITIES -- Taking back their schools and going after gangs. It's been a growing local problem. We wanted to know what type of gang prevention our local schools have.

Local police have reported more gang problems in the Tri-Cities as Yakima's troubles make their way here.

"Like a fight in the hallway happened I never saw it, but I heard about it," says Raymond De La Cruz, recent high school grad.

Prosser fought to keep gang counselors in local schools, even using city money to pay the salary. Kennewick and Pasco Schools don't use counselors. Their focus is on better educating the teachers.

"I think two or three times a year you're going to be seeing some kind of opportunity for training," says Lorraine Cooper, Kennewick School District.

The Kennewick School District says they hold gang awareness classes that teach how to focus on behavior and clothes but the classes aren't mandatory. Twice a year, Pasco trains its teachers on what to look out for.

Action News asks,"You feel that the workshops you have for your teachers are effective?"
"Yes, definitely. Again it's just an awareness piece, an awareness of the dress code," says Raul Sital, Pasco High School, Principal.

Both schools say they don't keep track of gang students. But Pasco High does keep track of gang recruitment and new graffiti in the area.

"It's really the students who are going to know what's going on," says Lorraine Cooper, Kennewick School District.

For recent grads like Stephanie Loza, a gang counselor can be useful.

"If they had someone who went through it before it might help," says Loza.

When it comes to breaking the gang cycle it might be helpful to listen to those being affected.

Current Weather

Icon
Current Temp 38.0 °F
Overcast
Video
More Weather

Upload directly from your mobile device.

Learn how

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

On Demand