Chicago removes school police officers to promote equity amidst violence
Chicago Pushes to Remove Police Officers from Public Schools
Chicago is taking steps to eliminate a $10.3 million program that places police officers in public schools and aims to have them completely removed by the 2024-2025 academic year.
Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson is supporting a measure to remove school resource officers and develop a comprehensive safety policy for schools without them. The Chicago Board of Education will vote on the new policy after it is requested from Chicago Public Schools by June 27.
Putting Ideology Ahead of Student Safety?
“Activists push to get rid of school resource officers, but parents, staff, and students disagree and voice their support to keep them,” says Erika Sanzi, Director of Outreach for Parents Defending Education. “Removing police from schools in areas with high violence rates seems like putting ideology ahead of what’s best for students and communities.”
Previously, the school board approved a $10.3 million contract with the Chicago Police Department to fund schools that wanted to retain their officers. Only two out of 40 school councils voted to remove officers last spring, and one school voted to remove only one of their two officers.
A Call for Change
A resolution from August 2020 directed the school district to phase out school resource officers and create alternative measures prioritizing student well-being and learning. Since then, 14 schools have removed 28 officers. However, the new resolution demands a complete end to school resource officers by the upcoming academic year.
Some Chicago principals and aldermen have expressed concerns about removing officers, citing the need for their presence in schools to address local violence. They argue that officers build relationships with students and that removing them could lead to unpredictable interactions with police.
Concerns from Principals and Aldermen
Troy LaRaviere, president of the Chicago Principals & Administrators Association, states, “If you don’t have an SRO, what are you supposed to do? You don’t have the SRO with the relationships. You have to call 911. And then you have to get the luck of the draw.”
29th Ward Alderman Chris Taliaferro expresses disappointment, saying, “I think your decision places our students at more risk and harm than ever before.”
28th Ward Alderman Jason Ervin adds, “Just yesterday, we had a melee over at Westinghouse, and without the support of the police department on scene, that situation could have been exponentially worse.”
Advocates for removing police officers argue that their presence is racist, leads to the mistreatment of children, and creates an environment that hinders learning and safety. However, data shows that a significant number of arrests in Chicago schools are made against black students.
The debate over school resource officers in Chicago continues, with stakeholders on both sides expressing their concerns and advocating for what they believe is best for students and communities.
What are the concerns expressed by opponents of removing police officers from schools, and how do they argue that alternative strategies may not be effective in addressing student safety, especially in areas with high violence rates
Ote to remove officers during the fall of 2020.
The decision to remove police officers from public schools in Chicago is part of a larger national movement that gained momentum after the killing of George Floyd last year. Critics argue that the presence of police officers in schools contributes to the school-to-prison pipeline and disproportionately affects students of color. They believe that instead of relying on law enforcement, schools should invest in counselors, social workers, and mental health resources to address student safety.
Supporters of school resource officers, on the other hand, argue that their presence is necessary to ensure the safety and security of students and staff. They believe that removing police officers from schools in areas with high rates of violence can put students and communities at risk. They also argue that officers serve as positive role models and can build relationships with students, providing them with guidance and support.
The decision to remove police officers from public schools in Chicago is not without controversy. Erika Sanzi, the Director of Outreach for Parents Defending Education, expresses concern that this move is driven by ideology rather than considering what is best for students and communities. She argues that removing police from schools may not be the most effective solution, especially in areas with high violence rates.
However, proponents of removing school resource officers argue that alternative strategies can be more beneficial for students. They suggest that investing in social and emotional support services, conflict resolution programs, and restorative justice practices can create a safer and more inclusive learning environment for all students. This approach seeks to address the root causes of student misbehavior and promote positive alternatives to punitive measures.
While the decision to remove police officers from public schools in Chicago is still pending, it reflects a larger conversation happening across the country about the role of law enforcement in educational institutions. Communities are grappling with questions of how to ensure student safety while also addressing issues of racial inequality and over-policing. This decision in Chicago is seen as a significant step towards reimagining school safety policies and investing in alternative approaches that prioritize the well-being of all students.
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