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02/27/2007: "About That Anti-Gang Program, Tony ..."

Anyone who has grown up in Los Angeles knows that gang violence is no laughing matter. Far too many people have seen their lives ended in violence, and their families destroyed by the grief. It's not a new problem, and it's probably not as bad now as it has been in the past, yet it remains one of the biggest challenges facing the leaders of our community.

That said, sometimes it can be the source of humor. Schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District are often scenes of the worst incidents, and new Superintendant David Brewer is making a strong effort to be seen as a hand-on leader in the fight against violence. And Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa - not one to miss a press opportunity - well, if Brewer's going into the community, Tony's gonna tag along.

Thus it was that the two found themselves onboard a bus outside the Santee Educational Complex in South Central yesterday. The area, considered to be one of the toughest areas in town, has been especially tough for bus riding students, who have to navigate a two-block gauntlet from the bus stop to the school. The obvious solution is a bus stop directly behind the school, and it was the "grand opening" of the new stop that brought the community leaders out.

Sometimes, though, reality has a way of disrupting an otherwise tightly controlled agenda ...

While the crowded Metro bus carrying Brewer, Villaraigosa and a crowd of journalists was stopped at Washington Boulevard and Maple Avenue, an unidentified youth believed to be a Santee student dashed up and scrawled graffiti on a side window.

As word of the incident rippled through the crowd, Villaraigosa asked that the bus be stopped to catch the tagger. Officials soon thought better of the idea, and rather than create a traffic hazard at a busy intersection, pledged to identify and deal with the student today.

Still, the mayor was heard to say that the boy should do "a lot of community service" after being caught.

Of course, some people just don't get it ...

"It's a cry out for help," said Vince Carbino, Santee's principal. He said he will meet with the youth, together with one of the school's social workers, to "help the student and get him on the right track."

I'm thinking a boot to the butt is a good start. While you're at it, kick the principal as well. Cry for help, my ass ...