Fighting Chance? Students Investigate Middle School Violence

JHop teaches students drawn from gang influenced neighborhoods. Across the street the Bethel Heights apartments (renamed Citrus Groves) has been the home base for the Bethel Heights Boys gang.


An effective school principle maintained order so that students could learn until she was fired by the school administration. Discipline quickly fell apart and the school made headlines for many incidents of violence.

Local government has aggressively demolished public housing instead of working with residents to make their homes safe. Citrus Groves may be demolished as a solution to crime.

Residents have been helping suppress the toxic gang influence on this school by organizing crime watch and citizens patrol.




Edited 3/11/12