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LYNWOOD CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
FEBRUARY 28, 2001
The City Council of the City of Lynwood met in a Special'Meeting at 11330 Bullis
Road on the above date at 9:20 a.m.
Mayor Richards presiding.
�� Councilmen Byrd, Rea, Reyes, Sanchez and Richards answered the roll call.
Also present were City Manager Davis, City Clerk Hooper and City Treasurer
Pygatt.
City Clerk Hooper announced that the agenda had been posted in accordance
with the Brown Act.
Item #4: School Disturbance at Lvnwood Hiqh School
Staff presented Council with a presentation from the L.A. County Sheriff's
Department with regard to the disturbance at Lynwood High Thursday, February
22, 2001.
It was moved by Councilman Rea, seconded by Councilman Byrd and carried to
recess for ten (10) minutes at 9:20 a.m. to allow staff to prepare for the
presentations.
Council reconvened at 9:35 a.m.
� Mayor Richards stated that the meeting would proceed as foliows:
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•:• Information and data to be read into the record
•:• Sheriff Department presentation regarding disturbance
•:• City Council Question/Answer periad
❖ Public Comments
•:• Statement of Facts, Findings & Resolutions
City Manager Davis read in to the record correspondence to and from the
Lynwood Unified School District regarding the disturbance February 22, 2001.
Mayor Richards stated the goal of this meeting is to determine exactly what
happened on February 22" and what the city can do to assist.
Captain Kenneth Brazile of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department presented
Council with a de-briefing of the incident on February 22" Captain Brazile
played a video as well as an audiotape of the first calls that came in to the
Sheriffs Department in regard to the school disturbance. Stated calls came in
from residents as well as people inside the school. One caller stated an event
had been poorly pianned and that the school needed assistance from law
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enforcement.
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; j Captain Brazile gave a chronological report of the disturbance.
Charles Watkins, Sr., representing Superintendent Cebrun read a prepared
statement from the superintendent who was not available for the Special Council
Meeting. These letters were read into the record. Mr. Watkins suggested a joint
meeting between the Council and the School Board. Stated he could not speak
for the superintendent in his absence and stated the superintendent has reserved
the right to discuss the incident himself and is scheduling a meeting with City
Manager Davis.
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School Board Member Cynthia Geter discussed the riot at the High School and
discussed the racial divide in the community. Discussed the blatant open racism
in the city and the need for a strategic plan in the School District.
Councilman Reyes asked why the Superintendent was not present at the Special
Meeting.
Representatives from the School District stated that the Superintendent had a
previous engagement and could not attend the Special Council Meeting.
��� Council also asked who was in charge at the school the day of the riot. School
District representatives said that the Deputy Superintendent was in charge
February 22"
Councilman Rea discussed the need for outside Sheriffs having to come in to
Lynwood on that day to assist in the riot. Also discussed the letters sent by the
School District. Stated the School District clearly has no Operational Plan.
Council asked such questions as:
❖ Were there policies in place to address this type of problem
•: Were the students escorted by Teachers to the assembly
❖ If teachers were not present, why
❖ Who was the Sight Administrator
•3 How many Vice-Principals are there at the High School
Mayor Richards discussed the city's responsibility for the health and welfare of
the community and stated we have an obligation to address these types of
issues. Asked was this incident brought on by a dereliction of duties, where were
the teachers, what was the chain of command, and exactly what is the policy to
;' address this type of situation.
Mayor Richards asked Captain Brazile what was the Chain of Command at the
school when they arrived.
Captain Brazile stated that the Sheriffs could not contact any of the vice-
principals on campus. Stated he was told that teachers do leave the campus
during lunch hours. Also stated he was told that there was a protest going on by
the teachers who left the campus during lunch that day.
Captain Brazile stated Law Enforcement personnel came on campus looking for
someone with authority to give them permission to enter the campus.
Mayor Richards stated there seemed to be a breakdown of policy and
programming at the school and asked Sheriff Brazile to determine what policies
and procedures were taken, as well as were there a dereliction of duties.
It was moved by Councilman Rea, seconded by Councilman Byrd to move a
motion to have Law Enforcement make an inquiry as to Child Neglect Violations
at the school on February 22, 2001.
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' ROLL CALL:
' AYES: COUNCILMEN BYRD, REA, REYES, SANCHE2, RICHARDS
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Councilman Reyes asked about the School &tesource Deputy. Stated the
Resource Deputy should have been at the High School that day and not at the
Middle School on another issue.
Councilman Byrd commented that the morale at the schools must be awful low.
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It was again asked where was the Superintendent during the riot. Schooi Board
Representatives stated Dr. Cebrun was out of the state at the time of the
incident.
Councilman Sanchez discussed racial issues at the school. Discussed the
media coverage and stated "racism sells". Stated the problem is with the adults.
Asked when did teachers start leaving campus for lunch, and is this normal
procedure. Stated school security asked him for assistance in training. Stated
�' they have no experience in dealing with riots. Stated one School Board member
i , called him a derogatory name even though he did not go on to the campus that
- day. Supports investigation.
PUBLIC ORALS
Katherine Amey discussed automatic weapons on campus carried by students.
Stated even females are carrying weapons. Concerned about the cancer in the
city.
Irene Garcia — 2737 111
Discussed weapons and incident report given by Captain Brazile. Asked about
the teachers fighting at the middle school that day.
Pat Hemandez — Cortiand
Discussed safety, need to put a stop to whaYs going on. Need to get rid of bad
elements. Kids are afraid. Asked where is the psychological help for kids at the
high school. Stated other communities get assistance when these types of
incidents happen.
� Mary Hicks — Hulme Avenue �
Discussed the 1970's and the response from the youth at that time who watched
' the Roots Mini-Series. Discussed the problems that ensued between Black and
Caucasian students. Stated the school district has to wake up, someone has to
be accountable.
Mayor Richards stated we only have one (1) city, and have to plan for the future.
Need a common accord. Responsible adults need to take a leadership position
and find a common ground.
ADJOURNMENT
Having no further discussion, it was moved by Councilman Byrd, seconded by
Councilman Sanchez and carried to adjourn the meeting at 1:00 p:m.
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^ Paul H. Richards, II, Mayor �
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Andrea L. Hooper, City Clerk
FEBRUARY26.2001C
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