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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Commission On Children And Youth - 01/04/1995 - Special fir rl SPECIAL CALLED MEETING COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH January 4. 1995 MEMBERS PRESENT: Grace Rank, Chairperson, Mary Strickland, Vice-Chair, Philip Rhoades, Jeff Jung,Cindy Hurst,Paige Dinn,Monica Stender, Veronica Trevino,Dr. Maria L. Garza,Burma Bamett, Robin West , Orlando Torres,Joey Sanchez MEMBERS ABSENT: Carl Lewis, Julianna Rivera,Paula Rosenstein, Rudy Sosa OTHER INVITED GUESTS; Chief Henry Garrett, Corpus Christi Police Department; Linda Bridges,American Federation of Teachers;Art Delgado,CCISD;Joe Alley,Nueces County Juvenile Dept.;Robert Falcon,Padre Staples Mall Security;Israel Carrasco,Jr. ,Padre Staples Mall Security; Peter Peralto, Nueces County Sheriffs Dept.; Mike Lowrance, Nueces County Sheriff's Dept.; Honorable Don Alex,Judge,Corpus Christi Municipal Court;Mariah Boone,TRIP. Center;Linda Moffett, T.R.I.P. Center; Capt. David Torres, Corpus Christi Police Department. CALL TO ORDERS Chairperson Rank called the special meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. in the Nueces County Juvenile Center Conference Room, 2310 Gollihar. She stated the purpose of the meeting was to conduct a round table discussion on the daytime curfew and truancy issues facing Corpus Christi. She introduced the Commission's newly appointed student member,Joey Sanchez and then turned the meeting over to the Vice-Chairperson, Mary Strickland. Ms. Strickland introduced Police Chief Henry Garrett,who presented a brief video which explains the daytime curfew. Ms. Strickland stated the objective of the meeting was to improve the quality of life in Nueces County by reducing crime,but stressed that children and youth must be treated with mutual respect and the Commission must look at the total picture. Mr. Sanchez suggested that information on the daytime curfew be aired on programming channels which the young people watch, such as M-TV, rather than an educational-type program. Ms. Boone and Ms. Moffett,T.R.I.P. Center,presented figures on a recent study of children being brought to the center, stating that the typical profile is a 14 year old Hispanic male,with Driscoll Jr. High having the highest number of violators. She pointed out that last year,the median age was 15, indicating that younger children are being picked up for various violations. Dr. Maria L. Garza stated many of the offenders are taken to La Raza and explained the case worker's role in working with the parents and the parents' responsibility in insuring that their children attend school and are kept off the street. It was pointed out that the County does not have an ordinance,and students would not be in violation of the ordinance if they did not live within the city limits. Police Chief Garrett stressed that the day time curfew was established to insure that children were in school and off the streets and that the Police Department had only issued eleven citations since the curfew was passed. He stated it is not their intention to"round up students"to take them to jail. Members expressed their concern over any possible confusion on times the curfew is in effect. Chief Garrett assured them that all schools that been notified and that the department is aware of varying school calendars; however, he would send a memo to his officers. Dr. Garza pointed out that many other issues impact the students' attending school, such as pregnancy, alcoholism in the family, parents' divorce and/or remarriage, the parents' disinterest in the child, extreme economic issues, and the child's fear of attending school because of gangs, etc. The group agreed that lowering the eligible age to attend alternative school would be a positive step. Chairperson Rank suggested that the administration at the junior high with the highest number of violators be contacted in order to communicate the Commission's concern and offer assistance in lowering their number of offenders. Mr. Sanchez suggested an information hot line be established with merchants which explained the ordinance. He also suggested an incentives program be established for those students who have good attendance and good grades and that students' privileges be taken away when they disregard the ordinance. He also suggested a check-out be established with security guards at the various schools. The Committee also agreed there is a need for a student handbook to inform parents of the curfew. ADJOURNMENT: As there was additional discussion, Chairperson Rank adjourned the special called meeting at 3:30 p.m. Malcolm Matthews, Director Park& Recreation Department ,peau,tyid • • SPECIAL CAI LED MEETING S'HILI)REN& YOUTH January 4.1995 The Commission held a round table discussion on the daytime curfew and truancy.