School uniforms? Worth a look, but they may not help with gang problem

The discussion about instituting school uniforms is yet another sign that people are rising up to do something about the gang problem. The graffiti scrawled nightly around town belies the efforts of many people who are determined to make a stand before it's too late. Crews are out every week painting over the graffiti, and groups of community leaders are doing what they can to solve the problem, including establishing a Secret Witness program.

All know that this is a critical time for Carson City " a crossroads, as some community leaders have described it " in determining whether this will be one of those select cities where the quality of life is instantly evident to its visitors, or whether it becomes one of those indistinguishable cities where decay and apathy are most apparent.

School uniforms are viewed by some as a way to end displays of gang affiliation in the school. It's an intriguing idea " there's nothing wrong with requiring conformity to a standard of good behavior or acceptable dress, especially if the greater good is to keep those students from straying down the wrong paths. And uniforms would likely enhance rather than detract from the reason students are in school in the first place " to learn. There may be other benefits: Those students ostracized because their parents cannot afford the latest fashions would no longer carry that burden, but the other side of that coin is whether those uniforms would be affordable by the many students being raised in poverty.

It's unlikely anyone views school uniforms as the answer to the city's gang problem, but the question is whether it would be an exercise in futility. Opponents rightly point out that gang members would find a way to show their gang affiliation, even if it is far too subtle for others to see. Ultimately, the uniform idea may have too many flaws to be workable.

For now, the school has a common sense dress code that, if enforced, should be sufficient. The question is whether administrators can adequately do that in a school of 2,400 students

One thing is certain: The Carson City Community Coalition is doing the right thing in raising the question and gathering community input.