September 15, 2009 Board Meeting - Public Comment

Also tonight two different groups attended the meeting to discuss matters of concern in Lansing. First, a group of residents presented signed letters expressing their concern regarding incidents of burglaries in their neighborhood. Second, a residents and parents of children attending Lansing schools attended to discuss the rash of fights and violence with TFS students. Between both groups I estimate approximately 10 people stood up to speak. Then Police Chief Murrin addressed the group and outlined the steps that the police department has already put into place to remedy the violence occurring on the way home from school and what the department will be doing in the future to prevent these disturbing recent events. The Chief pointed out that an overwhelming majority of the individuals involved in these incidents have been arrested and/or ticketed and the matter is being handled by the juvenile justice system. The individuals involved in the fights on Coolidge property were also issued no trespassing orders restraining them from reentering the property. The Chief also pointed out that these incidents were not gang related.

Over the past week there has been a greater police presence at TFS in addition to the full time officer that is the detective for the school. Lansing is also asking the Lynwood police department to assist since close to half of the students enrolled are from Lynwood. Since the additional police presence as been added the TFS administration has stated that the change has been night and day. Chief Murrin handled comments and questions from the audience for approximately 20 minutes and in the end he was applauded. It was well deserved. (note: The applause part won’t hit the paper because the reporter left in the middle of the session) My simple passage here does not do justice to his description of the measures that the department has taken and intends to take to address these matters.