Quick look: Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer joins County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean on the latest episode of FutureCurrent to discuss e-bike safety, hate incidents, gang prevention and how schools and community agencies can work together to support young people.
From e-bike safety to gang prevention and addressing hate incidents, keeping young people safe takes more than the efforts of any one agency.
That’s among the themes explored in the latest episode of FutureCurrent, the Orange County Department of Education’s podcast hosted by County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean.
Released Oct. 13, the episode features Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, who joins Bean for a conversation about student safety, prevention and the partnerships connecting educators, law enforcement and community organizations.
Spitzer, a former teacher and school board member, discusses how his background in education has shaped his perspective on public safety, particularly when it comes to helping young people make informed decisions.
The conversation touches on hate incidents and hate crimes, including the legal distinctions between the two and the importance of reporting concerning behavior. Bean and Spitzer also discuss the role schools can play in helping students understand differences, build positive relationships and address harmful behavior.
Another topic is the Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership, or OC GRIP, which brings schools, law enforcement and community partners together to help steer students away from gang involvement.
A closer look at e-bike safety
The discussion also turns to e-bikes and other electric two-wheelers, particularly the safety concerns associated with younger riders.
Spitzer talks about his office’s efforts to address unsafe riding, including a Sept. 13 e-bike and e-motorcycle buyback event at Angel Stadium, which Bean attended alongside law enforcement, health care and community partners.
The two discuss the differences between e-bike classifications, the risks associated with higher-powered electric vehicles and the varying local rules that families may encounter across Orange County.
Those concerns have also been a focus of the county’s E-Bike Injury Prevention Collaborative, jointly hosted by OCDE and the Orange County Health Care Agency. The collaborative brings together schools, hospitals, law enforcement and other partners to promote education, injury prevention and responsible riding.
Throughout the episode, Bean and Spitzer emphasize the importance of providing families with accurate information and helping students understand the consequences of their choices.
For Bean, the broader takeaway is the value of organizations working together to address shared concerns.
“When we have four huge entities come together and have one common ground, and that’s the safety of our kids, that gives me hope,” Bean said, referring to partnerships involving OCDE, the District Attorney’s Office, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Orange County Fire Authority.
Spitzer also reflected on the influence educators can have on young people.
“The most important influence in this entire community is our education system,” he said. “That is where we all can make the most significant difference is in our schools.”
The full conversation is available in the latest episode of FutureCurrent, which explores the people, ideas and partnerships shaping education and communities across Orange County.