Community Services Manager David Hart told the City Council on Feb. 20 that they were “tightening up” the Code of Conduct for Avalon’s recreation programs.
The reason: Kids are not signing up for programs for fear of being bullied.
Councilmember Michael Ponce took the opportunity to express his disappointment in the community because nothing has been done to stop the bullying of an Avalon resident.
The issue came up during the Department Head Reports, when Hart updated the council on the city’s programs.
“We are also currently tightening up our Code of Conduct for participation,” Hart said.
“Because we want to crack down a little bit more on the bullying situation here on the Island,” Hart said.
“Although we have not had any situation in our program this year, it’s been pretty clear of any bullying situation within our program, but we’re still having issues of kids not signing up for programs in fear of what is happening outside of our programs,” Hart said.
According to Hart, kids see kids who have bullied them signing up for city programs.
“So they’re not coming,” he said.
Hart said they want to tighten up the language of the code concerning what they can enforce. He also said that when kids see that, at least the parents will know that their kid is safe in Avalon’s program.
“And hopefully we can influence what happens outside of our program,” Hart said.
Later, Mayor Anni Marshall asked if the Code of Conduct would include consequences for bad behavior.
“We actually do not have, in our Code of Conduct, if you behave in that way,” Hart said.
Hart said it was his understanding that bullying has gotten pretty bad. “I would love to do a warning and then freed from the program,” Hart said. “You’d be released from the program.
Hart said he wanted something that was “across the board” so that there would not be conflicting leadership on that.
Marshall asked if there was any coordination with the school because those kids are also going to school. “Do they have such a thing as a Code of Conduct?” she asked.
She also asked about consequences.
Hart wasn’t sure. He said he would check on that.
Councilmember Yesenia De La Rosa said the school was following something like a restoration program because that is what the School District wants.
“Well, let’s hope that works,” Marshall said.
Councilmember Michael Ponce also spoke on the issue during council member reports. “I’m really disappointed in my community in that there’s a person in our community who does a lot of cleaning up that he doesn’t have to do and he’s being bullied constantly,” Ponce said.
“Mr. Tony wants to leave the Island and go live with his parents because he doesn’t feel safe here,” Ponce said.
“And what bothers me is that complaints have been taken to the school, complaints have been taken everywhere, and nothing has happened,” Ponce said.
“That is ridiculous in this community. I thought this community was better than this and it just breaks my heart that that’s what’s going on,” Ponce said.
He was offended that there are no consequences for bullying in the school. He said he grew up in an age when there was consequences for our actions; we’re now in an age when there are no consequences.
“Nobody does anything,” Ponce said.
“I have a special needs nephew on this Island that at some point may have to deal with this,” Ponce said. “I just can’t understand it. It just really bothers me.“That’s my rant on that.”
