Senate Concurrent Resolution
No. 86
CHAPTER 118
Relative to school safety.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
August 13, 1998.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SCR 86, Hughes.
School Safety Month and Yellow Ribbon Week.
Existing law and the California Constitution set forth various provisions relating to school safety.
This measure would designate October 1998 as School Safety Month and the week of January 11 through 15, 1999, as Yellow Ribbon Week.
Digest Key
WHEREAS, The Department of Justice crime statistics show that since 1989 the homicide arrest rate for juveniles has significantly exceeded that for adults; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Justice statistics also show that between 1985 and 1995 the juvenile arrest rate for violent crimes has increased 54.9 percent; and
WHEREAS, The number of juveniles in California between 10 and 17 years of age increased 17 percent between 1985 and 1995, and the number of juveniles arrested for homicide increased 121 percent during that same period; and
WHEREAS, While the juveniles in California between 10 and 17 years of age make up 11.3 percent of the state’s total population, they account for 18.5 percent of those arrested for homicide; and
WHEREAS, The California Constitution guarantees students and staff the right to be safe and secure on public primary, elementary, junior high, and senior high school campuses; and
WHEREAS, There is a need for violence prevention strategies that effectively deal with individual and cultural relations and that include the collaboration of parents, community members, and law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, School districts, in conjunction with the Senate Select Committee on School Safety, will continue to strengthen their efforts to reduce and prevent violence through unity, harmony, and collaboration; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes October 1998 as School Safety Month and the week of January 11 to 15, 1999, inclusive, as Yellow Ribbon Week; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature encourages all schools to participate in appropriate activities during School Safety Month and throughout the year to recognize the importance of conflict resolution, mutual respect, and violence eradication; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature encourages parents, pupils, teachers, other school personnel, and members of the community to wear yellow ribbons or participate in other appropriate activities during the week of January 11 to 15, 1999, inclusive, to demonstrate their commitment to safe schools and in recognition of pupils who have lost their lives as a direct result of school violence; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature encourages all schools to promote ongoing activities that develop positive leadership and prosocial behavior among youth, and actively involve pupils in helping to solve problems related to conflict and violence.