TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to approve the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine’s Proposed Anti-Bullying Policy and Procedure. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
At its July 24, 2012, meeting, the City Council requested that the City Manager work with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) and the Human Relations Commission to craft an Anti-Bullying Policy and Procedure (Proposed Policy) for all City of Long Beach (City) park programs and facilities (Attachment).
Since that time, representatives from the Junior League of Long Beach, Peace Builders, Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), Human Dignity Office, Human Relations Commission, Library Services, Police Department, and PRM have held multiple meetings to craft a mission statement, code of conduct, and key objectives to prevent, identify, and address bullying in park programs and facilities.
Since the Proposed Policy impacts activities in park programs and facilities, the Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the Proposed Policy at its March 14, 2013, regular monthly meeting. The Human Relations Commission reviewed the Proposed Policy at its March 14 and April 11, 2013, regular monthly meetings and provided additional input.
A key concern presented by the Human Relations Commission is that the approved Anti-Bullying Policy and Procedure not result in expelling troubled youth participants from PRM programs. As a result, it was recommended that the City explore outside programs focused on restorative justice. This is an approach that involves both the victim and the offender in an interactive process before the offending youth is reintegrated into the PRM park program. Offenders are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions in order to repair the harm they have caused, and learn the skills necessary to avoid future offences. Strategies recommended by restorative justice experts include restorative justice conferences and circles, the introduction of inform...
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