Safe School Zone

 

 

 

A Safe School Zone is, according to the California Penal Code section 626, any of the following places during regular school hours or within 60 minutes before and after any school sponsored activity on the campus:

 

• Any area within 1,000 feet of a school; and

• Any area within 100 feet of a designated bus stop

 

 

Once Safe School Zone signs are posted, any person who commits a crime near the school or within the Safe School Zone is subject to increased penalties. Crimes covered by this law can be anything from misdemeanors, such as loitering or trespassing, to felonies, such as weapons possession or assault with a deadly weapon. Once the person is prosecuted and convicted, they will be placed on probation and given the "enhanced penalty" under the law.

 

For a first offense, this means a fine up to $500 and up to six months in jail. If the person is convicted a second time, they will be fined up to $500 and be sent to jail for a mandatory 10 days and up to six months. If the person is convicted of a crime in the Safe School Zone more than two times, they will be fined up to $500 and sent to jail for a mandatory 90 days.

 

 

The Los Angeles Unified School District, the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office are committed to keeping our schools safe and will not tolerate crime in or around our schools. Schools and adjacent neighborhoods must be safe havens for our children.

 

 

Existing procedures to maintain school safety will be strictly enforced to ensure that only visitors with official business are allowed on school grounds. Any individual whose presence or acts interfere with the learning environment will be required to leave the school immediately or be arrested.

 

 

Look for the large signs with black letters on white background posted around the campus, within the 1,000-foot perimeter of the school, and on the designated MTA bus stops. The signs will say:

Please see

 

Any person who commits a

crime within this area is

subject to increased penalties.

Penal Code 626 et seq.