7/22/03

LC030722

VAL ZAVALA>> TONIGHT ON LIFE AND TIMES --

NO ONE DOUBTS THAT VIOLENCE HAPPENS AT CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS, SO WHY AREN'T ANY OF THEM LABELED "DANGEROUS"?

BEV COOK>> IT HAS BEEN THE CULTURE OF THIS DISTRICT THAT THE PRINCIPALS ARE NEVER SUPPOSED TO LET ANYTHING GET OUT OF HAND, SO WHAT THEY DO IS THEY DON'T REPORT WHAT'S GOING ON.

VAL>> AND THEN, HOW CAN YOU TELL WHEN SOMEONE IS TOO OLD TO DRIVE? IT'S A QUESTION WHERE THE WRONG ANSWER CAN HAVE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES.

ALL THIS AND MORE STRAIGHT AHEAD ON TONIGHT'S LIFE AND TIMES.

LIFE AND TIMES IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF
THE L.K. WHITTIER FOUNDATION DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE BY SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE ENDEAVORS IN THE FIELDS OF MEDICINE, HEALTH, SCIENCE AND EDUCATION.

VAL>> HELLO, I'M VAL ZAVALA REPORTING FROM SANTA MONICA. A LITTLE LATER IN THE PROGRAM, WE'LL TALK ABOUT ELDERLY DRIVERS AND WHAT HAPPENED HERE WHEN AN OLDER DRIVER PLOWED HIS CAR THROUGH A BUSY FARMERS MARKET. BUT IN THE MEANTIME, THERE ARE OTHER DANGEROUS PLACES WE WANT TO LOOK AT. AMONG THEM ARE SCHOOLS. JUDGING FROM CRIME STATISTICS, WE HAVE A LOT OF THEM. BUT AS PHILIP BRUCE REPORTS, CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS HAVE FOUND A WAY TO DODGE THE "DANGEROUS" LABEL EVEN WHEN A SCHOOL HAS A VIOLENT PAST.

PHILIP BRUCE>> THERE'S NO ESCAPING THE HIGH CRIME NEIGHBORHOODS MANY SCHOOL KIDS MUST PASS THROUGH TO REACH HOME, BUT SOMETIMES EVEN THE SCHOOLS THEMSELVES AREN'T SAFE. LAST MARCH, WASHINGTON PREP HIGH SCHOOL IN SOUTH LOS ANGELES WAS A SCENE OF A BRAWL INVOLVING DOZENS OF STUDENTS. ELEVEN OF THEM WERE ARRESTED.

>> THERE WAS A LOT OF RUNNING, POLICE, STUFF BEING THROWN EVERYWHERE, PEOPLE WITH SHIRTS GETTING TORN, ATTACKED, AND THEN GETTING LOCKED IN CLASS UNTIL YOUR PARENTS CAME TO GET YOU.

PHILIP BRUCE>> TWO WEEKS LATER, WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A VIOLENT OUTBURST INVOLVING UP TO THREE HUNDRED STUDENTS HAPPENED AT NEARBY LOCKE HIGH. BOTH SCHOOLS HAVE TROUBLED HISTORIES, SO YOU MIGHT EXPECT TO FIND THEM ON THE STATE'S PERSISTENTLY DANGEROUS SCHOOLS LIST. THAT LIST WAS MANDATED UNDER THE SO-CALLED "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND" FEDERAL EDUCATION LAW PASSED IN 2001. BUT EACH STATE IS ALLOWED TO WRITE ITS OWN DEFINITION FOR PERSISTENTLY DANGEROUS AND, SURE ENOUGH, CALIFORNIA HAS ARRIVED AT SOME WORDING THAT MAKES IT EASY TO ESCAPE THE LABEL. IN FACT, OFFICIALS CLAIM THERE'S NOT A SINGLE PERSISTENTLY DANGEROUS SCHOOL IN THE STATE, NOT EVEN THE ONES WHERE THOSE BRAWLS OCCURRED, BUT NOT EVERYONE IS BUYING IT.

BEV COOK>> WE DO HAVE DANGEROUS SCHOOLS AND TO SAY WE DON'T IS WRONG. WE KNOW THAT A LOT OF STUDENTS DO BRING WEAPONS ON CAMPUS. WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A LOT OF ASSAULTS GOING ON. WE KNOW THAT A LOT OF CHILDREN ARE IN FEAR ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY GO TO THE RESTROOMS AND I THINK THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED WHEN WE NAME THE SCHOOLS.

PHILIP BRUCE>> UTLA VICE PRESIDENT, BEV COOK, SAYS THE UNION LEARNS FROM TEACHERS ABOUT PROBLEMS IN SCHOOLS.

BEV COOK>> A LOT OF TIMES, IT'S AN INCIDENT. IT COULD BE SOMETHING WHERE A TEACHER CALLS AND THEY HAVE BEEN ATTACKED AND PHYSICALLY ABUSED OR IT CAN BE LIKE WHAT HAPPENED WITH WASHINGTON PREP HIGH SCHOOL WHERE WE GOT AN ANONYMOUS LETTER THAT A WHOLE BUNCH OF THINGS WERE GOING ON. WE WENT DOWN AND CHECKED IT OUT AND WE FOUND THAT IT WAS TRUE.

PHILIP BRUCE>> MONTHS BEFORE THE HEADLINE-MAKING FIGHT AT WASHINGTON PREP, THE UNION HAD ASKED THE DISTRICT TO INTERVENE. NOW WASHINGTON HAS A NEW PRINCIPAL.

>> HE DON'T TAKE ANYTHING. HE'LL GO RIGHT ON BECAUSE WE GOT COPS, CAMERAS AND PEOPLE WATCHING US CONSTANTLY.

>> THE SCHOOL IS PRETTY SAFE. WE GOT SECURITY ROLLING AROUND EVERYWHERE.

>> THEY DO RANDOM BACKPACK SEARCHES FOR THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS ON THE CAMPUS AS FAR AS KNIVES, GUNS, POSSESSION OF ANY KIND OF WEAPONS.

PHILIP BRUCE>> THE STUDENTS' TAKE ON SECURITY AT WASHINGTON IS EXACTLY WHAT SCHOOL POLICE WANT TO HEAR.

LARRY MANION>> WE CONSIDER THE SCHOOL TO BE A VILLAGE AND THE PRINCIPAL TO BE THE MAYOR. WHAT WE DO IS WORK IN CONCERT WITH THE SCHOOL AND WE TRY TO HAVE A QUARTER MILE AROUND THE SCHOOL THAT'S CONSIDERED A SAFE ZONE.

PHILIP BRUCE>> LOS ANGELES SCHOOL POLICE COMMANDER, LARRY MANION, REPEATEDLY SIDESTEPPED QUESTIONS ABOUT PERSISTENTLY DANGEROUS SCHOOLS, INCLUDING WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS ODD THAT NO SCHOOLS IN THE STATE HAD MADE THE LIST. BUT THE UNION'S BEV COOK WONDERS IF PRINCIPALS ARE REALLY MOTIVATED TO REPORT PROBLEMS.

BEV COOK>> IT HAS BEEN THE CULTURE OF THIS DISTRICT THAT THE PRINCIPALS ARE NEVER SUPPOSED TO LET ANYTHING GET OUT OF HAND, SO WHAT THEY DO IS THEY DON'T REPORT WHAT'S GOING ON BECAUSE THEY THEN ARE PERCEIVED AS NOT IN CONTROL OF THEIR SCHOOL. I THINK THAT'S THE SAME THING THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN UNDER THIS ONE. YOU KNOW, WE'D SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM.

PHILIP BRUCE>> CRITICS CLAIM THERE IS NO COORDINATION BETWEEN SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND SCHOOL POLICE ON WHAT CONSTITUTES A PROBLEM. FOR EXAMPLE, BANNING HIGH'S PRINCIPAL SAYS HER SCHOOL HASN'T BEEN ALL THAT TROUBLED, BUT SCHOOL POLICE STATISTICS INDICATE THAT TWO YEARS AGO BANNING HAD TWENTY-EIGHT CASES OF BATTERY.

LARRY MANION>> WE DON'T MAKE UP THE RULES FOR WHAT THE STATE REQUIRES TO BE REPORTED AND THE PRINCIPALS AND THE ADMINISTRATORS AT THE SCHOOLS HAVE TO COMPLY WITH WHAT IS REQUIRED BY THE STATE, AND THAT MAY BE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE WOULD SEE AS A POLICE DEPARTMENT AS A CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

PHILIP BRUCE>> AND HOW TROUBLED WOULD A SCHOOL HAVE TO BE TO MAKE THE PERSISTENTLY DANGEROUS LIST? THE THRESHOLD IS HIGH. ONE PERCENT OF THE STUDENT BODY MUST BE EXPELLED THREE YEARS RUNNING FOR MAJOR OFFENSES SUCH AS SEXUAL ASSAULT, ROBBERY OR SELLING DRUGS. MORE COMMON REASONS FOR EXPULSION SUCH AS FIGHTING USUALLY DON'T COUNT. AND WHAT HAPPENS IF A SCHOOL DOES MAKE THE LIST? THE LAW SAYS PARENTS CAN THEN REQUEST THAT THEIR CHILDREN BE TRANSFERRED TO SAFER SCHOOLS, A SOLUTION THAT THE UNION'S BEV COOK ALSO QUESTIONS.

BEV COOK>> IF YOU GO FROM ONE SCHOOL TO ANOTHER, THAT DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM THAT MADE THAT PARTICULAR SCHOOL A DANGEROUS SCHOOL. IT WOULD BE BETTER IF YOU HAD TO FIX THE PROBLEM THERE SO IT WASN'T DANGEROUS.

PHILIP BRUCE>> IT WOULD ALSO BE BETTER IF THE STREETS WEREN'T SO DANGEROUS. MANY CHILDREN WALK THROUGH GANG TERRITORIES JUST TO GET TO SCHOOL. FOR THEM, EVEN A TROUBLED SCHOOL CAN BE A HAVEN.

>> THE LOCKS -- YOU KNOW HOW WE HAVE GATED DOORS AND EVERYTHING, IT SEEMS SAFE AND THE DOORS ARE ALWAYS CLOSED, WHICH DOESN'T LET NOBODY COME IN. WE HAVE SECURITY.

>> I'D SAY IT'S PRETTY SAFE IF YOU'RE INSIDE.

PHILIP BRUCE>> AND STUDENTS DON'T LOOK TO THE STATE OR ANYONE ELSE TO TELL THEM WHETHER THEIR SCHOOL IS DANGEROUS. THEIR CONFIDENCE IS IN THEMSELVES.

>> IT'S SAFE, IT'S SAFE, BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT TO DO. I KNOW WHO TO TALK TO AND WHO NOT TO TALK TO.

>> IF YOU ARE IN A BAD GROUP, YOU'LL GET IN PROBLEMS. IF YOU'RE IN A GOOD GROUP, YOU'LL BE SAFE. IT DOESN'T MATTER REALLY.

>> IF YOU DON'T HAVE TROUBLE WITH NOBODY, THEN NOTHING'S GOING TO HAPPEN. BUT IF YOU GO LOOKING FOR IT, WELL, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY.

VAL>> CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS SAY THEY WEREN'T TRYING TO DODGE ANYTHING WHEN THEY CAME UP WITH THEIR SPECIAL DEFINITION OF THE WORD "DANGEROUS", BUT THEY CONCEDE THAT THEY MAY HAVE TO REVISIT THE WORDING SOMETIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

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VAL>> SANTA MONICA WON'T SOON FORGET WHAT HAPPENED HERE WHEN AN ELDERLY DRIVER DROVE HIS CAR THROUGH THE FARMERS MARKET KILLING TEN PEOPLE. IT'S A DEADLY REMINDER OF A LINGERING PROBLEM THAT HAS NO EASY SOLUTION. WHAT TO DO ABOUT ELDERLY DRIVERS WHO POSE A THREAT TO THEMSELVES AND OTHERS? I PUT THAT QUESTION TO MONIKA WHITE, PRESIDENT OF THE CENTER ON HEALTHY AGING. WHEN IS A PERSON TOO OLD TO DRIVE?

VAL>> MONIKA, HOW OLD IS TOO OLD TO DRIVE?

MONIKA WHITE>> GOOD QUESTION. WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY. WE HAVE SOME EVIDENCE ABOUT AGING, BUT PEOPLE AGE DIFFERENTLY. SO THE ABILITY TO DRIVE IS DIFFERENT AT DIFFERENT AGES.

VAL>> SO THERE'S NO WAY TO SIMPLY MAKE A LAW AND SAY EVERYBODY PAST SEVENTY, EVERYBODY PAST SEVENTY-FIVE? IT'S TOO INDIVIDUAL?

MONIKA WHITE>> IT'S VERY INDIVIDUAL. IT'S A CASE-BY-CASE SITUATION. HOWEVER, YOU CAN MAKE A LAW THAT SAYS EVERYBODY AT A CERTAIN AGE, BUT IS IT THE THING TO DO?

VAL>> I THINK IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED AGE DISCRIMINATION.

MONIKA WHITE>> AGEISM.

VAL>> AGEISM.

MONIKA WHITE>> AGEISM INDEED.

VAL>> SO THE SUGGESTION IS THAT ONE OF THE PENDING PIECES OF LEGISLATION WOULD BE THAT EVERYBODY OVER SEVENTY-FIVE HAS TO ACTUALLY TAKE A BEHIND-THE-WHEEL TEST.

MONIKA WHITE>> A BEHIND-THE-WHEEL TEST.

VAL>> IS THAT SOMETHING YOU THINK WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA?

MONIKA WHITE>> I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO CONSIDER IN THE FUTURE, LONG-RANGE PLANS TO LOOK AT THAT SITUATION, TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM, TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE BASED ON WHAT HAPPENED, AND A LOT OF OUR EXPERIENCES IN AGING, BUT WE HAVE TO DO IT VERY CAREFULLY, A LOT OF CONSIDERATION, WITH A LOT OF FAIRNESS AND WE HAVE TO INVOLVE MANY ASPECTS OF THE COMMUNITY, MANY SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY IN COMING TO A DECISION.

VAL>> NOW YOU DEAL WITH ELDERLY PEOPLE ALL THE TIME. THAT'S YOUR JOB AT THE CENTER?

MONIKA WHITE>> YES.

VAL>> WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION FOR SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT OUR SOCIETY FACES WHEN WE'RE DEALING WITH OLDER DRIVERS? I MEAN, THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GET AROUND.

MONIKA WHITE>> THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GET AROUND AND ONE OF OUR LONG-RANGE SOLUTIONS IS TO FIGURE OUT A WAY OF LEAVING PEOPLE MOBILE. AS THE WHOLE SOCIETY AGES, WE'RE GOING TO WANT TO GET AROUND. WE DON'T WANT TO BE STUCK AT HOME.

VAL>> AND YET EVERYBODY IS DEALING WITH THIS. THEY DON'T KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, WHETHER TO TAKE THE KEYS AWAY FROM THE MOTHER OR FATHER OR TO DISABLE THE CAR OR TO HIDE THE KEYS. YOU'RE HEARING ALL THESE SCHEMES. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS?

MONIKA WHITE>> YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU'RE BRINGING UP IS VERY IMPORTANT AND IT'S THE SHORTER RANGE SOLUTION. WE CAN START IMMEDIATELY WORKING WITH FAMILIES. IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THE CENTER DOES TO PROVIDE CONSULTATION AND WORK WITH FAMILIES TO FIGURE OUT WHAT EXACTLY CAN BE DONE. FAMILIES NEED TO BE INVOLVED.

VAL>> AND DOCTORS TOO. I UNDERSTAND THEY CAN BE VERY HELPFUL.

MONIKA WHITE>> DOCTORS AS WELL. DOCTORS CAN BE REAL ALLIES IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS AND YOU OFTEN NEED THE DOCTOR BECAUSE MANY -- WE LISTEN TO OUR DOCTORS.

VAL>> WE LISTEN TO OUR DOCTORS. THEY'RE THE OUTSIDE EXPERTS WHEN THE FAMILY IS TOO CLOSE IN A WAY.

MONIKA WHITE>> THAT'S RIGHT. BUT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT FAMILIES CAN DO. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE SIGNS THAT THERE ARE SOME PROBLEMS AND WE NEED TO HAVE SOME INTERVENTIONS.

VAL>> IN FACT, YOU'RE OFFERING A CLASS OR A SEMINAR, I UNDERSTAND? TELL US ABOUT IT.

MONIKA WHITE>> YES, WE ARE. ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, AT THE KEN EDWARDS CENTER IN SANTA MONICA FROM SIX TO EIGHT P.M., WE ARE OFFERING A CLASS ON TALKING TO YOUR PARENTS ABOUT DRIVING. WE WILL BE COVERING THESE AREAS JUST AS YOU MENTIONED.

VAL>> NOW I UNDERSTAND THAT ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE DANGEROUS DRIVERS, BUT THEN SO ARE YOUNG PEOPLE. SO IN A SENSE, IT'S THE TWO SPECTRUMS THAT ARE --

MONIKA WHITE>> -- IT'S THE TWO ENDS OF THE AGE SPECTRUM IN TERMS OF DRIVING AND WE NEED TO ALSO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE YOUNG KIDS AS WELL. THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE BEING DONE.

VAL>> RIGHT. WE'VE ACTUALLY GOTTEN A LITTLE TOUGHER ON YOUNGER KIDS. THEY CAN'T BE DRIVING WITH ALL THEIR FRIENDS AND ALL THAT KIND OF THING. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THEY ARE VERY DIFFERENT KINDS OF DANGEROUS DRIVING HABITS.

MONIKA WHITE>> THEY ARE DIFFERENT BEHAVIORS AND THEIR POTENTIALLY DIFFERENT -- THEIR DISTRACTIONS WOULD BE DIFFERENT PERHAPS THAN AN OLDER PERSON PERHAPS.

VAL>> AND YET YOUNGER KIDS WILL, YOU KNOW, CUT YOU OFF AND GO FAST AND OLDER PEOPLE ACTUALLY HAVE A TENDENCY TO DRIVE TOO SLOW PERHAPS.

MONIKA WHITE>> A LITTLE MORE CAREFULLY, MAYBE TOO SLOWLY.

VAL>> BECAUSE THEIR REACTION TIME IS DOWN.

MONIKA WHITE>> BUT THEY CAN ALL BE DISTRACTED BY CELL PHONES, BY RADIO, BY THEIR PASSENGERS, BY LOOKING FOR AN ADDRESS. THERE IS A LOT IN COMMON, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENCES. KIDS HAVEN'T BEEN DRIVING FOR FIFTY OR SIXTY YEARS. IT'S NOT AS MUCH A PART OF THEIR LIVES, SO THE DIFFICULTIES ARE IN MANY WAYS MORE CHALLENGING.

VAL>> WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE COME OUT OF THIS? YOU KNOW, IT'S A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY. YOU LIVE IN SANTA MONICA. YOU'VE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS AS WELL. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST CONSTRUCTIVE REFORM THAT MIGHT COME OUT OF THIS?

MONIKA WHITE>> I THINK THAT THE LOCAL PROVIDER NETWORKS, AGENCIES LIKE THE CENTER FOR HEALTHY AGING AND OTHERS, THE CITIES, THE FAMILIES OF RESIDENTS OF COMMUNITIES, CAN GET TOGETHER IMMEDIATELY AND START WORKING ON SOME OF THE WAYS THAT WE CAN IDENTIFY AND BEGIN TO COACTIVELY WORK ON SOLUTIONS TOGETHER. THAT'S SHORT-TERM. WE CAN DO THAT RIGHT AWAY.

LONG-TERM, YOU MENTIONED ONE OF THEM, VAL, IS TO LOOK AT OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. LOOK AT WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE. HOW WOULD PEOPLE GET AROUND? WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATE METHODS? MUCH OF THAT IS LONG-TERM, AS IS POTENTIAL LEGISLATION OR RULES OR GUIDELINES. THAT'S GOING TO TAKE THE DMV, IT'S GOING TO TAKE --

VAL>> -- LEGISLATORS.

MONIKA WHITE>> LEGISLATORS. IT WOULD BE A POLITICAL SITUATION FOR THAT AND WE NEED TO START. UNFORTUNATELY, WE GOT THIS HORRENDOUS WAKE-UP CALL.

VAL>> SEEMS LIKE WE ALL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. YOU DID TOO IN YOUR OWN PERSONAL LIFE, YES?

MONIKA WHITE>> YES, IN MY OWN FAMILY. I HAVE A 94-1/2 YEAR OLD FATHER-IN-LAW WHO VOLUNTARILY GAVE UP DRIVING. THAT IS ONE SOLUTION.

VAL>> HOW OLD WAS HE WHEN HE DECIDED TO GIVE IT UP?

MONIKA WHITE>> JUST ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

VAL>> HE WAS DRIVING UNTIL NINETY-ONE?

MONIKA WHITE>> HE WAS DRIVING AND SOME THINGS HAVE HAPPENED AND HE VOLUNTARILY GAVE IT UP WHILE HE WAS NINETY-THREE. HE WAS STILL DRIVING. BUT THAT IS ONE THING. YOU CAN BEGIN TALKING WITH YOUR FAMILY WAY EARLY ABOUT THESE THINGS AND, YOU KNOW, GET PREPARED. VOLUNTEERING TO GIVE UP DRIVING IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE DO AS THEY RECOGNIZE CHANGES IN THEMSELVES.

VAL>> IDEALLY. THAT'S THE IDEA.

MONIKA WHITE>> THAT'S THE IDEA.

VAL>> THANK YOU.

MONIKA WHITE>> YOU'RE SO WELCOME. THANK YOU.

>> I'M NOT SURE THERE IS A SPECIFIC AGE THAT I CAN THINK OF. MY PARENTS ARE IN THEIR SEVENTIES AND THEY'RE PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF DRIVING, BUT I DO THINK A TEST WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA.

>> I WOULD SAY MOST FAMILIES WOULD PREFER THAT PEOPLE NOT DRIVE, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE ISSUES IN TERMS OF, WELL, IF HE OR SHE CAN'T DRIVE, HOW IS HE OR SHE GOING TO GET AROUND?

>> IT'S JUST LIKE ANYBODY ELSE. YOU HAVE TO DO IT ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS. YOU CAN'T JUST SAY IF YOU'RE OVER A CERTAIN AGE YOU CAN'T DRIVE ANYMORE. THAT'S NOT FAIR.

>> YOU KNOW, IN THE SAME WAY THAT I HAVE TO DEAL WITH MY FRIENDS WHEN THEY'RE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND SAY I'M REFUSING TO GET IN THE CAR WITH YOU AND I'M NOT LETTING YOU DRIVE EITHER. I MEAN, IT'S TOUGH AND IT CAN RUIN FRIENDSHIPS, BUT I THINK IT'S POSSIBLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT YOU CAN DO IS TELL SOMEBODY NOT TO DRIVE DRUNK. IT'S THE SAME THING IF SOMEBODY IS NOT FIT TO BE A DRIVER THAT THEY SHOULDN'T BE GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL.

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VAL>> WE'RE ABOUT TO TAKE YOU TO A PLACE THAT'S CONSIDERED A NEIGHBORHOOD TREASURE. IT'S A LITTLE OFF THE BEATEN PATH, SO YOU MAY NOT HAVE HEARD ABOUT IT, BUT ONCE YOU SEE ST. ELMO VILLAGE, YOU NEVER FORGET IT. AS VICKI CURRY TELLS US, IT'S A GREAT PLACE FOR LOCAL ART AND ONE MAN GETS THE CREDIT FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN.

VICKI CURRY>> THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IN MID-CITY ISN'T KNOWN PARTICULARLY WELL. IT'S JUST A NONDESCRIPT AREA OFF THE INTERSECTION OF LA BREA AND VENICE BOULEVARD. BUT IF YOU GO A FEW BLOCKS DOWN ST. ELMO DRIVE, YOU COME ACROSS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE, A PLACE CALLED ST. ELMO VILLAGE CO-FOUNDED BY RODERICK SYKES.

RODERICK SYKES>> WELCOME.

VICKI CURRY>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE.

RODERICK SYKES>> WELCOME TO WHERE WE LIVE.

VICKI CURRY>> SO YOU'RE GOING TO SHOW US AROUND HERE AND TELL US WHAT THIS IS ABOUT?

RODERICK SYKES>> LOVE TO, LOVE TO.

VICKI CURRY>> LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

RODERICK SYKES>> WELL, THIS IS 1969. MY UNCLE AND I LIVED HERE. THIS WAS ONE OF THE WORST PLACES IN THE COMMUNITY. THE SCULPTURES THAT ARE HERE NOW ARE MADE OUT OF THE JUNK THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE A WAY OF GETTING RID OF, SO WE STARTED MAKING STUFF OUT OF IT. WE STARTED PAINTING THE HOUSES. MY AUNT USED TO CALL IT "KOOL-AID" PAINT. WE WERE ARTISTS AND PAINTERS, SO WE DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING CONSISTENTLY HERE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE THAT EVERYBODY IS AN ARTIST AND WHEREVER YOU ARE IS YOUR GALLERY OR YOUR STAGE. YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING WITH WHAT YOU HAVE, WHERE YOU ARE, RIGHT NOW.

SO FOR THIRTY-FOUR YEARS, THIS IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING. USING WHAT WE HAVE, WHERE WE ARE, NOT WAITING UNTIL WE MOVE OR GET INTO THAT GALLERY OR THIS PLACE OR THAT PLACE, BUT MAKING THE BEST OF WHAT YOU HAVE NOW. KNOWING THAT WE CAN'T SURVIVE HERE WITHOUT THE CHILDREN AND FROM THE INVOLVEMENTS OF THE CHILDREN, I GUESS OUR BASIC WORKFORCE OVER THE YEARS HAS BEEN BETWEEN FIVE AND TWELVE OR THIRTEEN YEARS OLD. IT'S BEEN THE CHILDREN THAT HAS GOTTEN THE TEACHERS, THE PARENTS, THE FOLKS TO COME AND DISCOVER ST. ELMO VILLAGE. WE'VE GOT A LOT OF TEACHERS WHO HAVE BROUGHT CHILDREN HERE ON FIELD TRIPS. FROM THOSE FIELD TRIPS, THEY'VE BROUGHT THEIR PARENTS TO WHERE THEY WENT THAT DAY.

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VICKI CURRY>> NOW WHEN YOUR UNCLE MOVED IN HERE IN THE SIXTIES, IT WAS A GROUP OF SMALL HOMES, RIGHT?

RODERICK SYKES>> SMALL HOMES. WE LIVED HERE. IT WAS A SLUM PLACE WAITING FOR THE LANDLORD AND BLAMING HIM. HE WAS USING THIS AS A TAX WRITE-OFF. SO MY HISTORY AND MY UNCLE'S HISTORY IS WHEREVER WE LIVED, WE HAD TO SWEEP THE GANGWAYS, THE ALLEYS, THE STREET. WE HAD TO PAINT, WE HAD TO PLANT, WE HAD TO DO THOSE THINGS.

MY GRANDFATHER WAS A HANDYMAN. HE WOULD BRING HOME AN OLD SINK THINKING HE WAS GOING TO USE IT FOR SOMEBODY ELSE'S HOUSE AND MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD PLANT FLOWERS IN IT. SHE WOULD PLANT FLOWERS IN HIS OLD BOOTS THAT HAD HOLES IN THEM. ANYTHING THAT WOULD HOLD DIRT. SO MY HISTORY AND MY UNCLE'S HISTORY AND MY FAMILY IS THAT YOU DO SOMETHING. YOU DON'T WAIT TO BLAME THE LANDLORD. YOU LIVE THERE. AS MY UNCLE USED TO SAY, IT'S YOUR LEAF, YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR LEAF.

VICKI CURRY>> SO AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS, THE OWNER HERE WANTED TO SELL THE PROPERTY AND YOU WERE ABLE TO BECOME A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AND BUY ALL OF THIS PROPERTY AND TURN IT INTO THE VILLAGE?

RODERICK SYKES>> WE HAD OUR FIRST FESTIVAL, "THE ART OF CREATIVE SURVIVAL". WE RAISED $10,000 OF THE $15,000 HE WANTED DOWN. WE PAID IT OFF, $60,000, IN EIGHT YEARS. WE BOUGHT THE APARTMENT BUILDING NEXT DOOR. WE CALL IT "THE HIGH-RISE". IT WENT INTO FORECLOSURE AND THEY WANTED $67,000 DOWN. WE RAISED IT IN FOUR MONTHS.

VICKI CURRY>> NOW THIS PLACE ISN'T JUST ABOUT ART IN THE TRADITIONAL SENSE, BUT ALSO ABOUT THE GARDENS AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE MANAGED TO PUT TOGETHER HERE.

RODERICK SYKES>> WELL, SEE, THAT'S THE THING. OUR MESSAGE IS THAT ALL OF IT IS ART. IT'S THE ART OF LIVING AND IS YOUR WHOLE ENVIRONMENT. IT'S NOT JUST YOUR PAINTING OR YOUR POEM. IT'S THE PLANT. IT'S THE RULES. IT'S EVERYTHING. IT'S YOUR ENVIRONMENT, SO WE HAVE TO CARE FOR WHERE WE ARE.

VICKI CURRY>> EVEN YOUR SIDEWALKS, OBVIOUSLY. YOU'VE PAINTED ALL THE SIDEWALKS AND DRIVEWAYS THROUGHOUT THE AREA.

RODERICK SYKES>> WELL, YOU KNOW, SO THAT YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT, WELL, IT WOULD BE BETTER OVER THERE, YOU DO THOSE THINGS WHERE YOU ARE AND THIS IS A BLANK CANVAS. THIS ACTUALLY STARTED FROM HAVING WORKSHOPS ON SATURDAYS AND PRIMING THE KIDS' BOARDS DOWN ON THE ASPHALT. THEN ONE SATURDAY, WE DIDN'T HAVE BOARDS, BUT WE HAD PAINT, SO WE STARTED FILLING IT IN.

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VICKI CURRY>> THIS IS THE OLD GARAGES AND STABLES THAT ARE NOW THE WORKSHOP?

RODERICK SYKES>> OUR WORKSHOP AND GALLERY. ADULTS AND CHILDREN WORK IN HERE. WE USE ALL KINDS OF MEDIUMS. WE HAVE 220 RUNNING THROUGH AND NOW WE EVEN HAVE A KILN AND A SINK INSIDE. WHEN YOU HIT THE LIGHT SWITCHES, THE LIGHTS COME ON RATHER THAN GETTING A SPARK (LAUGHTER). THIS CEMENT FLOOR WAS PUT IN BY MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN WORKING TOGETHER. THIS IS ABOUT HOW WE CREATE A SPACE WHERE WE CAN BE CREATIVE AND THERE IS NO MESS-UP IN HERE. IT'S ONLY DISCOVERY.

VICKI CURRY>> AND YOU HAVE CLASSES HERE, AS YOU SAID, FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS FROM ALL OVER THE CITY? MOSTLY THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

RODERICK SYKES>> MOSTLY THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT WE HAVE CHILDREN THAT ARE BUSED HERE FOR WORKSHOPS, DRIVEN HERE FROM SAN DIEGO TO SANTA BARBARA. IT STARTED OUT JUST WITH THE KIDS FROM THE IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT IT'S GROWN THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH.

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VICKI CURRY>> THE OTHER ELEMENT OF ST. ELMO VILLAGE IS THE ARTISTS THEMSELVES WHO LIVE IN THE BUNGALOWS AROUND HERE AND THEN THIS IS THE GALLERY WHERE THEY CAN DISPLAY THEIR WORK, IS THAT RIGHT?

RODERICK SYKES>> THIS IS THE GALLERY FOR THOSE THAT LIVE HERE AND ALSO THOSE THAT DON'T LIVE HERE. WE HAVE EXHIBITS FOR OUR CHILDREN. THE PHOTOGRAPHY, INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS THAT DON'T USUALLY GET A CHANCE TO SHOW THEIR STUFF. THIS WAS A HOUSE CONDEMNED BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. ME AND THE SAME KIDS THAT BUILT IN HERE STARTED KNOCKING OUT WALLS.

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VICKI CURRY>> SO THIS IS THE FISH POND? TELL ME THE STORY ABOUT THIS.

RODERICK SYKES>> THIS IS THE BILLY PRESTON POND. THIS WAS BUILT BY THIRTY KIDS BETWEEN FIVE TO TWELVE YEARS OLD BACK IN 1974. THIS STARTED OUT TO BE A SWIMMING POOL AND, OVER HERE WHERE THE OVERFLOW VALVE IS, THERE'S AN OLD CESSPOOL. SO WHEN THEY STARTED DIGGING, THEY BUSTED THROUGH THESE RED BRICKS. SCARED THEM TO DEATH BECAUSE IT WAS LIKE THIS TEN-FOOT HOLE. SO I JUST THANK GOD BECAUSE I REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO BUILD A SWIMMING POOL (LAUGHTER).

THE ALTERNATIVE WAS TO DO A POND FROM GOING TO GRIFFITH PARK UP THERE AND SEEING THE ROCKS AND THE WATER. THE BOTTLES ARE FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE ROCKS ARE FROM THE ANGELES CREST NATIONAL FOREST. THE SAND FOR THE CEMENT IS FROM SANTA MONICA. WE USED COAT HANGERS FOR THE WIRE MESH AND PLASTIC BAGS FROM THE DRY CLEANERS TO SEAL IT. IT TOOK A YEAR, BUT HERE IT IS. THIS IS ABOUT WORK AND PLAY AND THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS ATTITUDE.

VICKI CURRY>> AND IT SAYS OVER THERE, "IF IT IS TO BE, IT IS UP TO ME."

RODERICK SYKES>> THAT'S IT. THAT'S IT. WE HAVE TO DO IT. TOO OFTEN WE'RE WAITING AND BLAMING SOMEBODY FOR OUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND WE ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY, AND THE VILLAGE IS ABOUT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR LIFE AND YOUR DREAM AND HOW YOU WANT TO BE LIVING IT.

VAL>> ST. ELMO VILLAGE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY RENOVATED INSIDE AND OUT. AS VICKI CURRY TELLS US, IT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

I'M VAL ZAVALA REPORTING FROM SANTA MONICA. FOR EVERYONE AT LIFE AND TIMES, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

LIFE AND TIMES WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF
THE L.K. WHITTIER FOUNDATION DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE BY SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE ENDEAVORS IN THE FIELDS OF MEDICINE, HEALTH, SCIENCE AND EDUCATION.

VAL>> TOMORROW ON LIFE AND TIMES, MEXICAN ID CARDS. THEY'RE GAINING ACCEPTANCE AT BANKS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS, BUT ARE THEY CLEARING THE WAY FOR AN INCREASE IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION?

>> IT IS NOT AN IMMIGRATION LICENSE. IT DOES NOT GIVE ANYONE IMMIGRATION RIGHTS. IT DOES NOT CHANGE THE IMMIGRATION STATUS OR THE LACK OF STATUS OF THE MEXICAN IMMIGRANT.

VAL>> THAT'S TOMORROW ON LIFE AND TIMES.