OC Kids Bribed With Soccer Game Tickets to Stay Out of Gangs

Got motivation, kids? The Chivas USA pro soccer team and the Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership (GRIP) are hoping the promise of free tickets to see a game is enough to keep a few school-aged kids out of ganglife.

The OC Register reports on a new challenge issued to about 800 students at Handy Elementary and Yorba Middle schools in the city of Orange that will find the youngsters rewarded with tickets to see Chivas USA play provided they "stay out of trouble and do well in school."

Another 400 students from 38 other schools throughout Orange County identified by authorities as "high risk for gang activity" are facing the same challenge.

Here's how the challenge (err, bribe?) works:

Kids who have no unexcused absences, no reports of bad behavior, no failing grade at the trimester, and who obey their city's curfew laws will be given free tickets for themselves and family members to Chivas USA games in March and April.

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas spoke at an event at Yorba Middle School today in honor of the Chivas USA and GRIP pairing. "Stay out of gangs," he told the kids. "It's a...short road that leads to nowhere."