Los Angeles: On Thursday, November 6, 2003, at 8:30 a.m., the Los Angeles Police Department in conjunction with Los Angeles Unified School Police, Los Angeles World Airport Police, Culver City Police Department, El Segundo Police Department and Inglewood Police Department will kick off "Operation Stay-in-School". This program will specifically enforce truancy by issuing citations to truant juveniles. Once a juvenile receives the citation, it is mandatory for the student and parent(s) or guardian to appear before the Superior Court, Juvenile Traffic Judge to explain why the student was truant. Juvenile Informal Traffic Court is authorized to issue court fines from $170 for the first offense and up to $450 for the third offense. The fine can be commuted if the student maintains a "C" grade average, along with perfect attendance for a six-month period.

This awareness program is designed to reduce and discourage truancy in Los Angeles.

In an effort to help educate the public and parents of the City’s truancy law, the media is encouraged to attend the kick off for this program. This event will be held at 12312 Culver Boulevard, Los Angeles, in front of Pacific Area Station.

For additional information please contact Lieutenant Phil Fontenetta, Commanding Officer, Pacific Area Detectives at 310- 202-4579 or Detective Kevin Coffey at 310- 202-4513.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Sandra Escalante, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.