RESEDA : Police to Nab Toy Weapons at School

Police will round up students at the Reseda campus of Kirk o’ the Valley preschool and elementary school today and seize their toy knives and guns as part of a program to get rid of playthings that encourage violence.

In exchange, the children will receive gift certificates to their favorite fast-food restaurant or passes to bowling alleys and other amusements. And, organizers hope, the children will develop a better understanding of their toy choices.

The students volunteered to bring in their violent toys. Carolene Bookman, an official at the school and coordinator of this “recall” on the toys, said she realized that the school was failing to teach its students that “violence breeds violence.”

“I realized this activity was necessary because . . . we work to make our students aware of the importance of recycling and community service,” Bookman said. “But, as far as social issues are concerned, we weren’t doing much to help them develop a social awareness.”

Bookman said many local businesses have voiced support for the program.

“You always hear about the stunning number of violent crimes children witness on television each year,” Bookman said. “But you hear very little about the small things we can do every day to help children understand how violence--even violent play--affects them.”