Crime Prevention by School Engagement

Source: Santa Barbara County District Attorney

District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley announced today that the District Attorney’s Office will begin a new form of Crime Prevention in Santa Maria.

The Santa Maria Public Library has recently opened a used book store. In response to that effort, the District Attorney Staff has decided to donate gently used children’s books.  Mary Housel, Library Director/City Librarian, Santa Maria Public Library stated, “Thanks to the generosity of the Santa Maria community and especially this gift of children’s books from Joyce Dudley and her colleagues, the Library is delighted to have help getting books into the hands of children, many of whom have never owned their very own book.”  All children’s books will have a suggested donation of $0.50.  If the parent or guardian is not able to make a donation, the library will offer the books for free.  All donations go back to the Library. 

According to District Attorney Joyce Dudley, “As your District Attorney, I am convinced another way to keep our communities safe is to ensure that our children remain in school. Thus, we will continue to focus on our wrap-around/service-oriented Truancy Prevention program (CLASS).  As a former Early Childhood Educator, I believe early access to books is a key factor for our communities’ children in terms of both future school engagement and success, therefore we have taken it upon ourselves to donate our own family children’s books to our Santa Maria Library located at 421 S. McClelland Street, Santa Maria.  The books will be delivered on Friday, August 31 at 12:00 pm.  We are very excited about finding another opportunity to participate in public service in order to perpetuate public safety.”