In the wake of the recent violence in the Pico neighborhood, a handful of vocal residents have been pointing the finger of blame everywhere, except at themselves.
They blame the police for not informing them that the violence has occurred. They blame the police and City Hall for not doing enough to reach out to the youth. They blame City Hall and the police for not having enough community programs to keep the youth occupied. They blame the police for harassing their kids and wrongly arresting them.
That’s despite the fact that a majority of the officers in the police department are minorities; they continually meet with kids in positive environments, whether it’s organized events or impromptu barbecues, and they distribute press releases to the public when shootings occur.
It’s not the police’s fault that gang-bangers, many of whom live in the area, are shooting at each other. Indeed, it is the police’s responsibility to find the perpetrators and prevent more violence from happening. But the problems begin at home and parents need to take responsibility for themselves and their kids’ actions.
There used to be a time that when kids got in trouble, parents sided with the law. Now, it’s the reverse, at least in the Pico neighborhood. A few mothers say their kids are being harassed by police officers because they are Latino. It’s true that they might be questioned or approached if they are hanging out in the street or at parks because they fit the profile of suspects, which in the most recent shootings, have been teenaged Hispanics.
The mothers say their kids are being falsely arrested and unfairly targeted by police. Yet there have been hardly any complaints filed against the police department and some of the arrests have led to charges being filed by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.
When kids come home and tell their stories to their parents about their negative interactions with police, the parents ought to verify them with law enforcement. Perhaps it’s time for these parents to get involved not only in their children’s lives, but also in the community so they know what is happening around them.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 28, 2006. Read the original PDF.