CBS11TV.com Extra: Raw Police Chase Video
May 26, 2009 6:48 pm US/Central
Dallas Group Aims To Prevent Staged Fights
Chris Salcedo With Contributions From Anna Gonzalez
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
An unsettling trend of teen violence has caught the attention of community activists and law enforcement.
A quick search on YouTube revealed several examples of teenagers fighting in Dallas. Some were still in their school uniforms.
Area ministers with Dallas Common, the Dallas Independent School District and several police agencies joined forces to make sure that students leaving school will not be confronted with a hostile or threatening environment.
"We're having a zero-tolerance policy to prohibit children from fighting at the end of the school year," said Rev. Ronald Wright, Director of Special Assignments for Dallas Common.
The program, in its second year, is called "Operation End-Of-School Safety Watch." The aim is to stop violent, staged fights that end up being posted on the internet.
Last year police identified so-called hot spots where these staged fights would take place. All agencies were alerted and resources were dedicated to stop the violence. No incidents took place.
"We were able to identify locations that these students had planned on instigating fights that will be placed on YouTube and MySpace to be sent out nationwide," said Lt. Calvin Howard, DISD.
This year, even more locations have been identified. But if caught, offenders won't get off with just a citation.
"Any students that are caught fighting will be arrested. No citations will be issued," said DPD Commander Rick Watson.
Police believe they can stop this violence, but they the public's help.
"Please talk to the children these last couple of weeks in school," said civil rights activist Rev. Peter Johnson.
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RAW VIDEO: Dallas Co. Chase Ends w/Crash
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