Student Starts Petition Drive to Increase County Reward for Info on Death of Mitrice Richardson

• Action Was Inspired by His Eighth Grade Community Service Learning Project at Malibu High School

BY ANNE SOBLE

When Freddy Keith was considering topics for his eighth grade Community Service Learning Project at Malibu High School on the topic of social injustice, he said he "remembered the articles [he] read last year in the Malibu Surfside News about the disappearance and death of Mitrice Richardson."

The Richardson saga that began in Malibu in September 2009 still remains a mystery and part of a widespread debate about unjust treatment of arrestees, especially those with mental health issues, who are released from Los Angeles County sheriff's stations without their belongings—vehicle, money, ID, cell phone, etc.—at all hours in what may be remote locations.

Inspired by the advocacy component of his project and concerned about the timeliness of the issue, the 13-year-old decided to prepare a petition to collect signatures in favor of increasing the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors reward "for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the death of Mitrice Richardson" from $10,000 to $100,000. 

Keith's petition can be signed online at www. change.org/petitions/advocate-for-justice-in-the-death-of-mitrice-richardson (and immediately be added to the total signature count there), or the copy of the petition form printed below may be signed and mailed to:

Justice Petition Drive

Drawer MR

P. O. Box 947

Malibu, CA 90265

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