THOUSAND OAKS : Steps to Curb Youth Violence Discussed

Police, school and city officials on Thursday assured the Thousand Oaks Crime Prevention Task Force they are doing everything possible to prevent violence among the region’s teen-agers.

Sheriff’s Cmdr. Kathy Kemp told the group that deputies maintain a “zero tolerance” policy toward gang members by rousting them from public parks and keeping close tabs on their activities.

Newbury Park High School Principal Charles Eklund said his school district expels students for assault and possession of weapons. He also told the group that district schools work to keep non-students off campus.

“Every student and staff member has a right to work . . . where they are free of the threat of physical harm,” Eklund said.

Since three Westlake High School students were shot in a Feb. 3 brawl, the task force has pushed teen-age violence to the top of its agenda, said group member and Thousand Oaks City Councilwoman Jaime Zukowski.

The task force is an assembly of Conejo Valley government officials, business people and residents.

In addition to Zukowski, panel members include Kemp, Eklund, Karen Lindsey, the recreation manager of the Conejo Recreation and Park District; David Davidson, an Episcopal pastor; youth counselor Jean Ferguson, and Ronald D. Stephens, executive director of the National School Safety Center.