SANDY, Ore. -  A perceived increase in gang activity has prompted dress code changes at one Oregon high school.
    
Some students asked the school board for relief Monday night, accusing the new rules of unfairly targeting Hispanics.

Sierra Willett and her friends protested changes to the dress code, saying "it almost seems like they are racially targeting certain kinds of kids."

Several girls said the now-forbidden brands and items at Sandy High School are primarily worn by Hispanic kids.

Under the rules, student Travis McDougal can't wear his DC logo hat, or a pro-sports jersey with a number on it.

"I just think that its crazy that they are going to take something away from the whole school," McDougal says.

Principal Jim Saxton says the school met with the local police gang task force which recommended the rules. Police say the rules are intended to create an environment where gang conflict is less likely.

"It isn't that we are having a huge problem right now," Saxton says. "It is just that we are being pro-active to prevent it."

Saxton also says the school has 48 entrances. He wants no hats to be worn by students to easily identify those trespassing on school grounds.

Saxton says he found one violator last week. "Turns out to be a kid who goes to school downtown, sometimes. He was inebriated and had 16 cans of beer in his backpack."

Anthony Wright sees why some new rules may be needed. He says he graduated last year and knows gang members in Sandy. "Some get into fights," Wright says, "others just sell drugs. That's about it."

Sierra Willet presented her case to the school board. She says the new rules may be well-intentioned, but don't hit the real issue.

"So if they think there is a growing gang problem, they need to deal with that," Willet says, "not how people are expressing it."

The Sandy police chief says while there has been more gang graffiti in town recently, he doesn't know of specific gang members at the school.
   
The school board could recommend the high school reverse the stricter dress code.
    
Monday night, board members just heard the concerns.