Jaywalking students get free pass

PEORIA, Ill., Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Police in Peoria, Ill., say they will throw out jaywalking tickets issued to students at two local high schools if they agree to attend an assembly on respect.

The decision comes after protests from community leaders who accused the police of racial profiling in issuing the tickets to 32 students -- nearly all of whom are black-- on Sept. 28. Police said they issued the $75 tickets to teach the students about safety. The students all attended Manuel and Woodruff high schools, the Peoria Journal-Star said Wednesday.

Assemblies will be held in all Peoria School District middle and high schools over the next month. City Manager Randy Oliver told the newspaper the programs will be designed "to instill values and allow students to obtain a better understanding of the rules and develop a respect and understanding for each other."